In the grand hall where all officials stood solemnly, Pei Zhan’s voice resonated. Throughout the entire battle, how Yang Yi personally led the Zhou army and border generals to fight against the Dongzi warriors was recounted in full detail by him.

As he narrated, Cheng Chili and Du Mingqian also provided supplementary details beside him. Those who had not witnessed the scene themselves now seemed to have visualized the battle.

"...In this northwest war, His Highness has achieved battle merits not inferior to those of border generals. Moreover, by timely contacting Dongzi, His Highness enabled us to encircle the Dongzi rebels swiftly. I believe that in evaluating merits and rewards for this battle, His Highness should also be counted!"

Pei Zhan’s voice rang out forcefully in the hall, and as his words fell, the Cheng family, Du family, and Liang Family all chimed in:

"We earnestly request the Emperor to reward His Highness for his merits!"

After their passionate and fervent request, the already silent hall became even quieter. Almost everyone was reassessing Yang Yi, this imperial eldest son who had suddenly reappeared, majestically after disappearing for more than two decades.

The Emperor surveyed them one by one and slowly, deeply said, "Gentlemen, what do you think of General Pingxi’s proposal?"

This question awakened everyone. The senior officials standing at the forefront were the first to react, and after exchanging glances, Grand Preceptor Gu stepped forward first:

"This is Heaven’s blessing upon our Great Zhou! The imperial eldest son is wise and powerful; having such a princely son is a fortune for our dynasty! I request that Your Majesty immediately orders the imperial eldest son to acknowledge his ancestry and inherit the throne!"

"I second the motion!"

After Grand Preceptor Gu spoke, several Great Generals—all except the He Family, who were still under sanction—stepped forward to stand beside Grand Preceptor Gu.

Finally, the rest of the ministers also followed with loud calls to second the motion.

If initially, those with any doubts about Yang Yi’s identity were among those who had previously seen him, by now, they had no significance anymore.

Firstly, the Emperor could not possibly find an unrelated person to impersonate the Prince; secondly, both Grand Preceptor Gu and the court’s Great Generals were respected elders, unlikely to speak falsehoods with their eyes open.

With both the ruler and ministers convinced of Yang Yi’s identity, what reason remained for anyone else to disbelieve?

This is the imperial eldest son of the Great Zhou!

He is the immense surprise delivered by Heaven’s own hands at the moment they had nearly despaired of any imperial succession!

He possesses the noblest identity!

He joined the northwest resistance, personally fought, earning the respect of border generals and securing battle merits with his capabilities. Those who witnessed him realized deeply that even if he were not a prince, even without parents who were Emperor and Empress, he could still join the ranks of the powerful by his own abilities!

With such a Crown Prince for Great Zhou, what could be objected?!

"The imperial eldest son is brave and promising. We earnestly request the Emperor to establish the Crown Prince soon!"

"We earnestly request the Emperor to establish the Crown Prince soon!..."

The loud chorus in the hall was deafening. The Emperor and Empress, looking at the officials all kneeling on the ground, exchanged smiles, and in unison said, "Arise, my dear ministers!"

The Emperor’s gaze briefly lingered on Yi Yun, who still appeared anxious among the crowd, and said, "Since my beloved ministers have no objections, I hereby declare that the new Crown Prince of Great Zhou is the imperial eldest son, Yi!"

"The imperial edict of ennoblement has been prepared. Announce the decree!"

"As you command!" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The eunuch, who had long been holding the decree beside, stepped forward at this moment, unrolled the decree, and read aloud:

"Imperial eldest son Yang Yi, receive the decree!"

Yang Yi lifted his robe to kneel, leaving only the resonant voice of the eunuch announcing the decree in the grand hall.

Fu Zhen watched everything, slowly exhaled a long breath, and met the gaze of Mrs. Ning, who was looking her way, both smiling.

The decree of ennoblement was quickly read aloud, followed immediately by the coronation ceremony.

Needless to say, the scenes of bustling palace attendants they saw upon entering the palace indicated that this ceremony had been planned since the night before.

All procedures were ready, just waiting for Yi Yun to come forth and for the net to be gathered.

Yi Yun was completely defeated, as the long-gone Yang Yi surfaced at this critical moment, something he had never anticipated.

But throughout the court, how many were like Yi Yun? He merely ran ahead to become the tree that stood out.

The others, though spared and thus not exposed, dared not step forward due to Yang Yi’s formidable appearance.

The subsequent court affairs could at least remain stable.

"Congratulations to the Emperor, Empress! Congratulations to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!..."

The grand hall was now filled with jubilant shouts. A great burden on everyone’s hearts was finally released, and in the most perfect way!

"Set off! Dear ministers, join the Emperor and Empress to Yongqing Hall for a banquet!"

The Empress stood up from the dragon throne, supported the Empress down the steps, walked toward Yang Yi, who was approaching, and headed toward the hall entrance!

The October sun shone golden on the glazed tiles of the palace rooftop, illuminating the grand stairs; this was the warm golden autumn, the golden autumn of harvest!

...

The midday banquet lasted until the sun set in the west, the ruler and ministers drinking and celebrating, recalling the ancient and discussing the present, making Yongqing Hall exceptionally lively today.

From today, the Eastern Palace has a new master and has come alive again. As the decree was proclaimed to the world, the news quickly spread within and outside the capital city.

Regarding the imperial eldest son, oh no, the legend of His Highness the Crown Prince also began to spawn various versions, appearing in teahouses and taverns across Jiangnan and beyond.

Regardless of the version, they all revolve around the Crown Prince’s two decades of wandering yet keeping the nation close to heart, trying all means to maintain the stability of the Great Zhou’s borders.

The people were highly curious and respectful of this brave and robust Crown Prince, for who wouldn’t wish for a patriotic and people-loving Crown Prince to ascend the throne?

This year’s Spring Festival saw the city’s citizens voluntarily come to kneel outside Donghua Gate, extending New Year greetings to the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince.

Meanwhile, the incense in the temples within and outside the capital city was exceptionally booming after the New Year, especially at Longquan Temple, where the Crown Prince had once visited, becoming a place of blessing in the hearts of the people.

This year’s snow was also particularly abundant, falling intermittently starting from the winter month until the year’s end, each snowfall barely melting before another came.

On the third day, another heavy snow fell, with snowflakes covering the entire capital city like flying floss.

The heavy snow fell for four consecutive days.

On the first day of resuming work, new announcements emerged from the palace, stating that after two months of preparation, the new Chamberlain’s Office had also been reestablished.

During these two months, the Emperor personally invited Grand Preceptor Gu to lecture the Crown Prince, who, considering Grand Preceptor Gu’s advanced age and difficulty walking in the snow, often visited the Gu family himself.

Fu Zhen sometimes went to the Gu family to find Gu Yingying to play and would meet him, now wearing a Python Robe and golden crown, nobly dignified. Yet, he remained as amiable as before, asking her about her family, inquiring about Mrs. Ning and Ning Jia’s current situation when they met.

However, he was very busy, so Fu Zhen did not have many opportunities for long conversations with him.