The Selection of the Tianzi
The selection of a new Tianzi is perhaps the most important religious ceremony that the Mandate prescribes. The laws of succession are prescribed by Zhi himself and his scroll is
still stored in the Imperial City to this day. On top of this, centuries of traditions have built up to make the making of the next Tianzi one of the most integral parts of the Mandate’s practices.
The process begins even prior to birth as the eggs of many longxue are gathered. In ancient times, the Tianzi would walk among the populous examining the unhatched eggs of any family,
although the current practice is that families will offer their eggs to be taken to Zhuzhuan for selection. On criteria only they know, they will choose one to be taken back to the Tianxia, with hatching induced as soon as
is possible. The Tianzi is never present for the hatching, instead the child will be presented by the mushi who will bless and clean the infant for presentation.
The child is then introduced to the rest of the imperial court, starting with their tutors, then the nine Imperial Ministers, and finally the wider household. By convention the child
is only announced publicly when they turn of age, or in the rare event that the Tianzi passes away early, as such the existence of an heir is seldom public knowledge, although rumours will always circulate.
Upbringing
Once hatched, longxue develop quickly and so tutoring begins at a very young age. One may have the perception that the imperial heir may have some freedom, but it is the Tianzi’s
decrees that will control their formative years and in order to ensure they act in their child’s best interest, both parents deliberately have very little contact so as not to be emotionally attached. Instead, a host
of tutors, eunuchs, and concubines chosen by the Tianzi will be expected to raise them. Only once the child passes the Shengyuan will the meet their parents in person, witnesses often describe it as a very moving affair and
it is unique in the Tianzi’s life where they are expected to set aside their public duties in order to bond fully with their child.
With Tianzi able to take a more active role, they will have their child shadow them as much as is possible, with the aim that the Julong should be taken just before they come of
age, a period of fourteen winters. The public presentation sees invitations sent out far and wide. Preparations begin years in advance with the construction of temporary housing, the organisation of stockpiling rations and
an increase in Imperial troops across the main roads of travel. As such, even though a formal announcement will only made a few months beforehand, knowledge of a new heir will have spread Empire wide, with the event expected
to host thousands. For many, it is the only time they will see the the future or present Tianzi.
During the event a great feast is prepared with a special meat served to all in attendance. Historically, when the ceremonies where smaller, cooks could provide for the thousand or
so individuals expected to attend, but as time went on and the ceremony took on more importance, this became impractical and so in instead a special cured meat called qiqu is given to the crowd. The qiqu is wrapped in paper
and it became a superstition that this should be kept close to one hearth to promote healing qualities in ones one food.
Death
There is typically no mourning period when the Emperor passes away, the spirit of Zhi passes directly to the heir, who will immediately summon the council to inform them that they
are now the Tianzi. Announcements are proclaimed across the land and the new Tianzi chooses a new name, but otherwise it can seem like very little changes. The funerals for the old Emperor, (as they are no longer the Tianzi),
are held in private with trusted advisors, administrators and family present to pray, make sacrifices and prepare grave goods for internment. Anything buried with the Emperor they may take with them beyond and this often includes
their servants, who will accompany them to Diyu.
Empresses and Marriage
There is a caveat to the Mandate of the Tianzi passing immediately upon the death of the Emperor and this is in the case that the chosen heir is female. This has only happened twice
in the history of the Mandate, with the Empresses of Summer and Autumn respectively. Empresses cannot hold the spirit of Zhi, but are heralds of new eras of the Empire. The Empress of Summer heralded in a reign of prosperity
and they are generally considered to be auspicious omens for the following Tianzi.
The marriage of an Empress is far more important than the marriage of an Emperor, because an Empresses are the only occasion the rule of Yiqie will pass through blood, to the firstborn
son of the Empress. A good pairing for marriage therefore, is essential and once a suitable groom is selected, many traditional ceremonies take place. Prior to marriage, the bride is a princess, or ghongzhu and the groom is
a houwei.
The rituals take place over too days. The gongzhu is given a Shiwu, three longxuni, and the houwei is given a Fuwu, three longxu, these servants are hand picked by the Tianzi will
be the most trusted attendants of the pair for the remainder of their lives. The ceremony begins with the houwei presenting the gongzhu with the bridal attire known as a qungua. From the moment the houwei leaves, it is considered
bad luck for too many eyes to fall upon the gongzhu prior to the wedding and so all but one of the Shiwu have their eyes ritualistically removed by a mushi. This is only temporary, but the Shiwu must memorise every inch of
the bathing and robing room that the ghongzhu awaits them in. Both the houwei and gongzhu will then be bathed, have the talons and claws filed, their scales polished and various cosmetics applied, before being robed. A veil
is also given to hide the gongzhu from sight.
For the gongzhu, the remainder of the day is spent in meditation with their Shiwu, but the houwei has a much busier schedule, they are expected to hunt for the morrow’s meal
and embark with their Fuwu. Failure, or being injured would undoubtedly be an ill omen, although thankfully no such event has yet transpired.
In the early evening the parties eat with the mushi in public, and gifts are presented from the public to the imperial couple. It is also customary alongside a main gift, a single
offering of the lowest denomination of currency is also given. This signifies the wealth held by the imperial family as while items of craftsman ship hold unique value, they are already extremely wealthy, so to offer money
on such an occasion would be a token gesture. While historically, these would have been brought by the guests the modern practice is to have coins minted specifically for the marriage, bearing the seal of the gongzhu and houwei.
As reward for the gifts, qiqu is also offered to the guests here as well.
The mushi takes the coins and blesses them, instilling upon them the gratitude of the Tianzi after which they are loaded onto separate chariots, alongside the bride and groom. The
pair are paraded around the city and the coins are scattered from the back of the chariot, superstition dictates that taking and keeping a single coin will bring modest luck for the year, although the will rarely enter circulation
until after the couple have passed on.
The couple are married by the mushi upon their return to the palace, and will spend their first night together, however the bride must still remain hidden to the eyes of others. Until
the public presentation the following afternoon. The next morning, a series of prayers are said by the mushi and the Tianzi is finally able to meet the couple.
In
the evening a grand feast is held with tables laid out on many streets, the head table is positioned in front of the gateway to the imperial city and the Tianzi is bought out to address his subjects. He then unveil the bride,
proclaiming her to be the Empress.
