Chapter 109

What does she want?

Yan Donghuang stared at him, her dark eyes colder than a blade. Naturally, she wanted to cut him into a thousand pieces.

“Sheng Jing’an, you should be grateful you’re still in mourning,” Yan Donghuang’s voice was cold. “Today, I will let you go back, but in the future, you’d better not appear in front of me without permission.”

Sheng Jing’an staggered back a step: “So you do know I’m in mourning.”

Yan Donghuang ignored his sarcasm: “If you do anything you shouldn’t, the Sheng family’s fate will be the same as the Chu family and the Pingyang Marquis’ residence. You’d better not harbor any illusions.”

Sheng Jing’an indeed would not harbor any illusions.

The methods Yan Donghuang displayed these days made him understand that she was no longer the same Yan Donghuang as before.

She was the crown princess, the general with the power of life and death. She could kill whoever she wanted and confiscate whoever’s property she wanted.

Who could do anything to her?

Sheng Jing’an looked down at his hand wrapped in white cloth, the piercing pain in his palm still vividly clear. Even if this hand wasn’t completely crippled, it might not be of much use in the future. He felt an intense hatred towards Yan Donghuang. He was the son of a duke.

Yan Donghuang not only humiliated him and allowed her subordinates to stab him but also wanted to strip him of the title that should have been his.

How could he not hate her?

But with his current strength, he couldn’t do anything to her.

Suppressing the hatred in his heart, Sheng Jing’an bowed deeply to Yan Donghuang: “This commoner takes his leave.”

Turning around, he stepped out of the Qingluan Courtyard step by step.
A man in a blue robe, Feng Yaoguang, stood there quietly. His face was handsome, his posture upright, but his eyes were filled with a cold and fierce light, like a venomous snake ready to bite him to death at any moment.

Sheng Jing’an’s face stiffened, and then he sneered: “General Yaoguang, to willingly become a woman’s subordinate, you really disgrace men.”

Feng Yaoguang raised an eyebrow: “Young Master Sheng, your tone is so sour. Should I take it as jealousy?”

“Jealousy?” Sheng Jing’an took two steps closer, lowered his voice, and sneered, “Jealous that you’ll be under a woman in the future? Feng Yaoguang, when you and Yan Donghuang are together, who is on top and who is on the bottom—”

Bang!

Feng Yaoguang’s eyes turned cold. He suddenly grabbed Sheng Jing’an’s collar and kneed him hard in the abdomen. The swift and fierce blow made Sheng Jing’an feel as if his internal organs had shifted completely. His vision went black, and his scream was stuck in his throat. He clutched his abdomen in pain, curled up on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, cold sweat pouring out like rain, unable to make a sound for a long time.

Yan Donghuang watched coldly, neither stopping nor speaking.

“Bastard!” Feng Yaoguang, still unsatisfied, kicked Sheng Jing’an in the face. “Duke Zhen must have committed sins in his past life to have a son like you, making him restless even in death.”

Sheng Jing’an was kicked and rolled on the ground, blood spurting from his nose, looking both miserable and pathetic.

Feng Yaoguang looked at him with disgust, as if looking at an ant, then quickly walked to Yan Donghuang: “Your Highness, there’s no need to bother with such scum.”

Hearing his insults, Yan Donghuang’s eyebrows twitched. Remembering how she had cursed Sheng Jing’an in her previous life, she couldn’t help but pat Feng Yaoguang on the shoulder before turning to enter the room.

Feng Yaoguang was stunned, looking at his shoulder, wondering if the pat was a compliment. He glanced at Sheng Jing’an, who was like a bug and called his sharp subordinates over, giving low instructions: “From today, you are only responsible for watching the Duke of Zhen’s residence. If any outsiders go to the residence or anyone from the residence contacts someone, report to me immediately.”

“Yes.”

Ignoring the scum, Feng Yaoguang turned and entered the hall, stating his purpose: “Your Highness, I am on duty for tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve banquet in the palace. Shall we enter the palace together?”

Yan Donghuang replied indifferently: “Father is unwell. Tomorrow night, the ministers don’t need to enter the palace for the vigil. Father will host a family banquet in Guangyang Palace. It should not last long.”

Feng Yaoguang paused, his expression becoming more subtle. At this time, the words “family” sounded strangely out of place.

“Although the concubines in the harem are all the emperor’s people, and the princes and princesses are all the emperor’s children, given the current situation, family members are probably less reliable than strangers.” Feng Yaoguang spoke frankly, “I am really worried that someone might act desperately tomorrow night, endangering Your Highness.”

Yan Donghuang leaned on the brocade couch, sipping tea casually: “Two of the seven princes are injured, and Consort De has been sent to the cold palace. Such a clear and profound lesson is right in front of them. Who dares to act desperately? Can they even manage it?”

Feng Yaoguang thought for a moment and agreed.

Yan Ming should be the one who hated Yan Donghuang the most, but he was injured and demoted, unable to act. With his example, the other princes, no matter how brainless, should understand to protect themselves first and wait for the right moment.
…

Dragging his battered body, Sheng Jing’an returned to the Duke of Zhen’s residence. The gatekeeper almost didn’t recognize him at first glance: “You… who are you?”

At this moment, Sheng Jing’an’s face was bruised and swollen, his nose and chin covered in blood, his robe wrinkled, and he emitted an unpleasant smell, utterly different from the noble and clean son of the Duke of Zhen—no wonder the gatekeeper didn’t recognize him immediately.

Sheng Jing’an didn’t have the strength to be angry, so he directly reported his name. The gatekeeper, shocked, quickly helped him into the residence, shouting: “Notify the old madam! The eldest young master is back! The eldest young master is back!”

The Duke of Zhen’s residence, like waking from a deep sleep, was suddenly bustling with activity.

Hearing the news, the old madam, who had been sleepless and anxious these days, hurried over with a group of people. Seeing her son in such a miserable state, she cried out in pain: “Grand Princess is too much! She’s gone too far! It’s outrageous!”

“Brother?” Sheng Chuyue looked at Sheng Jing’an in disbelief, “Are you really my brother? How did you end up like this?”

“Don’t ask so many questions. Quickly find a doctor!” The old madam ordered sternly, almost hysterically, “Find a good doctor outside, prepare hot water for the young master to bathe, and make more of Jing’an’s favorite dishes… It’s too much. I must go to the emperor. Grand Princess treating the duke’s son like this is insane, insane!”

On the day before New Year’s Eve, every household was preparing for the family banquet. Only the Duke of Zhen’s residence was in chaos due to Sheng Jing’an’s sudden return. This New Year, the Sheng family was destined to have a hard time.

Chapter 110

The next evening, Yan Donghuang entered the palace to pay respects to Emperor Wu Lie.

After several days of rest, drinking the ginseng soup prescribed by Imperial Physician Wen daily, and following Yan Donghuang’s diet supervision, Emperor Wu Lie’s health greatly improved.

Today was New Year’s Eve. Although the usual tradition of the emperor and ministers staying up together was canceled, the family banquet in the palace was indispensable.

The family banquet was held in Guangyang Hall. When Emperor Wu Lie and Yan Donghuang arrived, the concubines, princes, and princesses of the harem had already gathered. Even Yan Zhang and Yan Ming, who were still injured, had entered the palace.

Guangyang Hall was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Emperor Wu Lie sat in the main seat, with Yan Donghuang next to him. On either side, the seats were occupied by Consort Gui and Consort Xian.

At the beginning of the banquet, Emperor Wu Lie spoke of family matters as usual, while the concubines and princes began to flatter him, praising his wisdom and the peace and prosperity of the nation.

In the midst of the conversation and laughter, Emperor Wu Lie suddenly turned to Yan Donghuang: “Donghuang, the Imperial Astronomer came to see me yesterday and said that the second day of the second month is an auspicious day.”

At these words, everyone fell silent.

Yan Donghuang nodded: “On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head; it is indeed an auspicious day.”

“I want you to hold the enthronement ceremony on the second day of the second month,” Emperor Wu Lie said calmly, yet his words were shocking. “I have already ordered the inner court to prepare the dragon robe and dragon ornaments. A month is enough time.”

The concubines and princes present were visibly shaken.

Yan Zhang and Yan Ming, who were still recovering from their injuries, turned even paler upon hearing this.

Yan Ling’s gentle eyes fell on Yan Donghuang, seemingly happy yet with a hint of sighing, though it was unclear what he was sighing about.

“Your Majesty really wants to see a female emperor in Yongchao?” Consort Gui bit her lip, her tone clearly unwilling but not daring to show it too much. “A woman as emperor, won’t it make people think that the men of Yong Dynasty are too weak and need a woman to support the country?”

What she meant was that the Yong Dynasty was a patriarchal country, and the emperor suddenly making Yan Donghuang the ruler would make other countries think that the men of the Yong Dynasty were incompetent or even suspect that there was something wrong with the royal family, leading to a woman taking the throne.

If other countries developed contempt and coveted the Yong Dynasty’s land, wouldn’t the Yong Dynasty be in danger again?

“I have fought for over ten years to subdue the small barbarian countries around the Yong Dynasty,” Emperor Wu Lie said sternly. “But there are still a few countries eyeing us covetously. Within five years, they will certainly start wars again. I believe Donghuang will subdue these restless countries, just as she suppressed those unruly families before, expanding Yong Dynasty’s territory, strengthening its military, and making it the greatest country in the world.”

“If Your Majesty has such intentions, then you should choose another heir and let Yan Donghuang focus on warfare,” Consort Gui frowned. “I acknowledge Donghuang’s abilities, but—”

“No buts,” Emperor Wu Lie raised his hand to stop her. “Tonight is a family banquet, no need to discuss state affairs. Besides, you are a concubine of the harem. You need not speak on the matter of the heir.”

Consort Gui’s face changed. Though she fell silent, she was not convinced.

If concubines couldn’t speak, why could a princess become emperor?

Were these rules only for the harem’s concubines, not the Princess?

“Donghuang,” Yan Ling spoke gently, “I heard that the old madam of the Duke of Zhen’s residence has been sending people to the Grand Princess’s residence these days, saying that Sheng Jing’an hasn’t returned home. Is he still at the Grand Princess’s residence?”

“Seventh Brother’s information is not up to date. I sent Sheng Jing’an back yesterday,” Yan Donghuang said casually. “He is my fiancé and may become a concubine in the harem. I recently took in a few male concubines, and Sheng Jing’an has been learning the rules from the nannies with them these days.”

She spoke lightly, but the people at the banquet turned pale.

Concubine in the harem?
Male concubines?
She… she really had no sense of shame!
Talking about male concubines so shamelessly in front of so many people and with such a proud tone, did she even know what it meant to be a woman?

Yan Ling’s face also stiffened, and then he frowned: “With Sheng Jing’an’s status, shouldn’t he be the main consort?”

“I decide what he will be,” Yan Donghuang said indifferently. “He has no titles and has never been to the battlefield; why should he be the main consort?”

Yan Ming’s expression was displeased: “Sheng Jing’an is the son of the Duke of Zhen. The Duke made great contributions to the country when he was alive. Aren’t you afraid of chilling the hearts of the ministers by humiliating him like this?”

“If I make an incompetent and unruly person the main consort, that would chill the hearts of the ministers,” Yan Donghuang looked directly at him, her eyes cold. “Sheng Jing’an has no respect for the imperial power, does not know his place, and shouts at me. As the widow of the late Duke, his mother does not think of teaching her son well but keeps clamoring that women should be faithful to one man… Should I, after ascending the throne, still have to pay respects to her every day as my mother-in-law?”

Yan Ming’s face changed: “How could the old madam—”

“Considering that you were injured, I haven’t told you something these days,” Yan Donghuang suddenly changed the subject. “After Princess Fengyang’s miscarriage, the Marquis of Pingyang instructed her to go to the Grand Princess’s residence to play the bitter card, intending to poison me after gaining my sympathy. The poison is now in my hands, and the Marquis of Pingyang confessed in prison that the poison was given by a servant of Prince Jing’s residence under the orders of the Second Prince. I wonder when the Second Prince plans to give me an explanation?”

Emperor Wu Lie sat in the main seat, indifferent to the scene before him, as if allowing them to argue, focusing on enjoying the food on the table. His health had been poor, and he had been eating bland food for days. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed a delicious meal.

“What did you say?” Yan Ming’s expression was first confused, and then he reacted to her words, becoming both shocked and angry. “I have been at home recovering from my injuries these days, not seeing any outsiders. When did I instruct anyone to poison you? Chen Shaoheng’s words are not credible!”

Yan Donghuang’s tone was calm: “Chen Shaoheng confessed it was you.”

“Nonsense!” Yan Ming stood up in anger, but the movement pulled at his back injury, making his face pale with pain, and his voice changed. “If you want to kill me, just say so. No need to go to such lengths!”

Yan Ling spoke gently: “Donghuang, the Second Brother is not that kind of person. You used to be so close; even if there is some unpleasantness now, he wouldn’t harm you.”

Yan Donghuang said coldly: “Later, you can go to the prison with me and ask the Marquis of Pingyang yourself to see what he says.”

Yan Ming sneered: “If you want to frame me, you would naturally torture the Marquis of Pingyang. Under torture, wouldn’t he say whatever you want him to say?”