Chapter 131

During the busy first month of the year, the day of the enthronement ceremony drew closer. Although Emperor Wu Lie had handed over state affairs to Yan Donghuang, he still frequently summoned officials from the inner court and the Ministry of Rites to oversee the ceremony’s preparations. As the day approached, the inner court had Yan Donghuang try on the dragon robe today and choose tomorrow’s imperial title. The princes’ faces grew increasingly grim, like dark clouds gathering in the sky, ready to unleash a storm at any moment.

On the second day of the second month, all preparations for the ceremony were completed. Emperor Wu Lie announced in the Taihe Hall that he would pass the throne to Crown Princess Yan Donghuang and hold the enthronement ceremony.

The Imperial Guards stood in formation in the square, and the civil and military officials, dressed in court attire, stood solemnly according to their ranks.

The atmosphere outside the hall was imposing and majestic. The sound of bells and drums rang three times.

The ceremonial officer announced loudly, “By the Emperor’s decree, the auspicious time has arrived, and the enthronement ceremony officially begins!”

Dressed in a dragon robe, Yan Donghuang entered the Fengtian Gate, walking steadily along the red carpet, followed by a grand procession.

The civil and military officials stood solemnly, dignified and respectful.
Emperor Wu Lie sat on the dragon throne, looking at the grand scene outside the hall. His features were stern and imposing.

Yan Zhang, Yan Ming, and the other princes, dressed in their princely robes, stood solemnly in the hall, their expressions dark and brooding.

Yan Donghuang walked to the front of the hall, ascended the steps, and entered the hall, bowing according to the ritual.

Rong Chun took out the imperial edict and read aloud, “By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Crown Princess Yan Donghuang, of noble character and with a heart for the world, deeply resembles me and will surely succeed the great rule, inheriting the responsibility of the empire. She is hereby appointed as the Emperor of the Yong Dynasty. This is proclaimed to all under Heaven. Respect this!”

As the words fell, the princes and high officials inside the hall and the civil and military officials outside knelt, “Long live the Emperor!”

Rong Chun gracefully descended the steps and respectfully presented the imperial edict and the jade seal to Yan Donghuang, “Your Majesty, please accept the jade seal.”

Yan Donghuang took the edict and the jade seal, stood up, and turned to face the civil and military officials.

Rong Chun stepped back two steps and knelt respectfully.

The ceremonial officer loudly proclaimed, “The princes and officials shall bow to the new Emperor with three kneelings and nine kowtows!”

Suppressing their unwillingness, the princes below the hall knelt before Yan Donghuang.

The sound of thousands of people shouting “Long live the Emperor” echoed within, resounding through the sky, with the echoes lingering in the hall.

After the three kneelings and nine kowtows, Yan Donghuang spoke loudly, “Today, I humbly accept my father’s grace, feeling unworthy. In the future, I will govern diligently, love the people, and care for the state—”

“Report—” Suddenly, a loud cry came from outside the hall, “Your Majesty! Urgent report from the border! Eight hundred miles urgent! Eight hundred miles urgent!”

Running and shouting all the way.

No one dared to stop an urgent report from the border concerning military affairs.

Even the Imperial Guards or the Qingluan Army could not. The hall was in turmoil, and the civil and military officials turned their heads to look. The princes in the hall stood up in surprise, turning to look outside, a glimmer of hope rising in their hearts. It would be best if there were a war at the border and Yan Donghuang personally led the troops. By the time she returned, the throne might have changed hands.

Would she really dare to usurp the throne?

Yan Donghuang, as if unaware of the princes’ hopes, held the jade seal in one hand and the edict in the other, calmly looking outside the hall.

The courier, panting, ran up the stone steps, entered the hall, and knelt, “Reporting to Your Majesty, an urgent report from the southern border, Nanling has increased its troops by 150,000, threatening Yong Dynasty to hand over their traitorous prince. Please decide, Your Majesty!”

“Increased troops?” Prince Yan Zhang was the first to exclaim, “Nanling has not fought with Yong for ten years. Why suddenly increase troops?”

“A traitorous prince?” Yan Ming looked at Emperor Wu Lie in surprise, “What does Nanling mean? Is their traitorous prince in Yong?”

Yan Ling looked at the courier kneeling on the ground, “What exactly happened?”

The courier replied, “The commander of the increased troops is their crown prince, who personally accuses Yong Dynasty’s Princess Qingluan of colluding with Nanling’s ninth prince in treason, demanding the immediate return of their prince, or it will be considered a deliberate provocation, interfering in internal affairs, and they will declare war on Yong.”

These words were like a cold wind sweeping through. The atmosphere in the hall froze, suddenly silent enough to hear a pin drop.

Yan Zhang, Yan Ming, Yan Wei, Yan Ying, Yan Yu, and Yan Ling looked at each other, then simultaneously looked at Yan Donghuang, their expressions changing from dark to gloating—hidden deep in their eyes.

Yan Zhang even raised the corners of his mouth. This report came at the right time, at the most critical moment of the enthronement ceremony. All the civil and military officials were present, and so were the princes.

Treason, colluding with a foreign prince. Even if Yan Donghuang had ten mouths, she probably couldn’t prove her innocence.

This was perfect. It couldn’t be better.

“Father,” Yan Ming was the first to recover, looking sharply at Emperor Wulie. The new Emperor is involved in treason, and the impact is extremely bad. This matter must not be ignored. Please investigate, Father!”

Yan Zhang recovered and followed with a bow: “Please investigate, Father. Cancel today’s enthronement ceremony!”

Yan Wei, Yan Ying, and Yan Yu were not to be outdone. Bowing together, they said, “Yan Donghuang colluded with the enemy, an unforgivable crime. Please deal with it according to the law, Father!”

The atmosphere in the hall was on the verge of exploding.

The princes were unprecedentedly united as if they had taken a stimulant.
The ceremonial officers on both sides looked panic-stricken, not knowing what to do. On one side was the new Emperor who had just received the jade seal; on the other were the princes accusing the Crown Princess of treason and the uncertain charge of colluding with the enemy.

The square outside the hall was dead silent.

Whether they supported Yan Donghuang or opposed her, the civil and military officials were all watching in fear, waiting, holding their breath.

Emperor Wu Lie sat on the dragon throne, his eyes slightly lowered. He looked at the exhausted courier kneeling on the ground, asking, “Who sent the eight hundred miles urgent report?”

The courier replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, it was King Wuyang.”

“How many days did you ride?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, nine days.”

“Did you change riders along the way?”

The courier kowtowed, “King Wuyang ordered me to personally deliver the urgent report to the capital and report to Your Majesty in person, so I only changed horses, not riders.”

“Where is King Wuyang now?”

“At the southern border.”

“Did King Wuyang tell you who the Nanjing prince is?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, King Wuyang said… it is…”

“It seems King Wuyang knows who it is.” Emperor Wu Lie interrupted him, slowly raising his head and looking around. “I also know who the Nanling prince is.”

What?

The princes all looked up in disbelief at their father.

Emperor Wu Lie sat on the dragon throne, his expression cold and filled with imperial pressure. “Summon General Yaoguang of the Qingluan Army to the hall.”

Rong Chun shivered, immediately recovering, and quickly turned to shout, “By the Emperor’s decree, summon General Yaoguang of the Qingluan Army to the hall!”

Chapter 132

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Feng Yaoguang, dressed in deep red military attire with a black cloak, ascended the steps. His tall and imposing figure, combined with his unparalleled handsome features, made him stand out. He walked steadily and powerfully, step by step.

Entering the hall, he walked to the front. He lifted his robe and knelt on one knee, “Your humble servant Feng Yaoguang greets Your Majesty!”

Emperor Wu Lie looked at his face, his voice authoritative without anger, “Feng Yaoguang, which country are you a citizen of?”

Feng Yaoguang lowered his eyes, his voice firm and decisive. “Replying to Your Majesty, before the age of seventeen, I was the ninth prince of Nanling. After seventeen, Your Majesty saved me. Unable to repay such great kindness, I became General Yaoguang of the Qingluan Army, loyal until death!”

As his words fell, the faces of several princes in the hall changed drastically.

Yan Zhang looked at him in disbelief, “You are the ninth prince of Nanling?”

“Saved by Father?” Yan Yu seemed stunned, his voice changing due to excessive shock, “How… how could it be Father who saved you?”

“What?” Emperor Wu Lie swept his cold gaze over them, “Are you very disappointed?”

Yan Yu turned pale with fright and knelt with a thud, “Your son does not dare! Your son… your son is just surprised, Feng Yaoguang he…”

Emperor Wu Lie ignored him and turned to Feng Yaoguang: “General Yaoguang, the crown prince of Nanling, accuses you of treason. Do you have anything to say?”

Feng Yaoguang’s expression was cold, “Before the age of seventeen, I was harmed in Nanling, and my biological father personally ordered my expulsion from the royal family. From that day on, I was no longer a prince of Nanling. After surviving many near-death experiences, I was fortunate to be saved by Your Majesty. From then on, I was only a citizen of Yong, General Yaoguang under the Crown Princess, living and dying for Yong. If I break this oath, may I be struck by lightning!”

“I do not want you to live or die for Yong.” Emperor Wu Lie’s voice was calm, “Since the crown prince of Nanling accuses you, I believe the only way to counterattack is to fight back and reclaim everything that belongs to you.”

Feng Yaoguang was silent for a moment, then suddenly looked at Yan Donghuang.

Yan Donghuang smiled without saying a word, looking at him.

The silent understanding between them, forged through years of battlefield experience, flowed unspoken.

Feng Yaoguang’s eyes softened, and he respectfully lowered his gaze, his tone gaining a touch of arrogance and disdain, “The Yaoguang Army can easily defeat the Northern Liang cavalry. As for Nanling, if I conquer it and present it to Her Majesty as a coronation gift, what of it?”

He had not thought about it or asked about it for years, but that did not mean he was unaware of Nanling’s strength.

In his old age, the emperor of Nanling repeatedly made foolish decisions. The court was divided, with factions fighting for power, leading to increasing internal strife. The generals were loyal to their own factions, no longer united.

This time, Nanling was likely instigated. Knowing Feng Yaoguang’s position in the Qingluan Army, Nanling deliberately spread rumors to incite suspicion among Yong Dyanasty’s rulers and ministers, aiming to provoke internal conflict within the Qingluan Army and indirectly weaken its combat strength.

Otherwise, given Nanling’s current situation, they would not be foolish enough to provoke the Yong Dynasty at this critical moment.

However, regardless of the reason, since Nanling provoked them, they must bear the consequences.

Emperor Wu Lie’s gaze was deep, “Donghuang, what do you think?”

Yan Donghuang’s gaze fell on Feng Yaoguang’s face.

One stood on the steps, the other knelt below. The distinction between ruler and subject was evident.

Yan Donghuang handed the jade seal and the edict to Rong Chun, took out a command token from her waist, walked down the steps, and handed the token to Feng Yaoguang.

“I order you to prepare the army tomorrow, lead 20,000 cavalry from Tianxuan and Yaoguang to the border, and let King Wuyang follow your command. Fight to the death with Nanling and prove your innocence to Yong Dynasty’s civil and military officials!”

Feng Yaoguang bowed his head, “I accept the order! If I do not conquer Nanling within a year, I am willing to be punished by military law!”

Yan Donghuang slightly raised her eyes and shouted, “Summon Gu Chiran.”

Rong Chun announced loudly, “By order of the Crown Princess, summon General Gu Chiran of Tianxuan to the hall!”

Dressed in black military attire, Gu Chiran arrived at the hall and knelt on one knee, “Your humble servant is here.”

“I appoint you as Feng Yaoguang’s deputy. The Tianxuan Army will follow Feng Yaoguang’s command and spare no effort to conquer Nanling!”

“I accept the order!”

Feng Yaoguang and Gu Chiran saluted and left together.

Yan Donghuang watched their departing figures in silence, then looked down at the courier still kneeling in the hall, deep in thought.

When King Wuyang was young, he followed the emperor to quell internal strife and conquer the world, making great contributions. After being conferred the title of King Wuyang, he had been guarding the southern border. In her previous life, after Yan Ming ascended the throne, Yan Donghuang returned to the battlefield at the beginning of the year and was not very clear about what happened in the capital. However, one thing was certain—Yan Zhang’s death was due to his correspondence with King Wuyang, for which Yan Ming had solid evidence.

A prince being closely associated with a general guarding the border was seen as an intention to rebel. Yan Zhang was demoted, confined, and eventually reduced to a commoner, dying of depression. So, regardless of which prince ascended the throne, Yan Zhang was always resentful and wanted to contact King Wuyang to seize power?

However, in her previous life, there was no incident where Nanling increased troops and demanded justice. At least not before Yan Donghuang’s death. What does this indicate?

“The enthronement ceremony has been completed today. From now on, a new emperor and a new dynasty. All officials must be loyal to the ruler and love the people as their children.” Emperor Wu Lie stood up,
“Donghuang, this dragon throne now belongs to you. Come and sit.”

“Father!” Yan Zhang spoke discontentedly, “The matter of treason is not yet clear. I think—”

“The one who saved Feng Yaoguang was me. Are you saying I committed treason?” Emperor Wu Lie looked at him coldly, “Yan Zhang, on the day of the new emperor’s enthronement, you roared in the hall and questioned the new emperor, which is a great disrespect. From today, you are demoted to a prince and confined for three months. Without an edict, you are not allowed to leave the residence!”

Yan Zhang froze, his face pale and powerless, unable to say another word.

Yan Donghuang withdrew her gaze, looked expressionlessly at Yan Zhang, and then turned to walk towards the dragon throne, the symbol of supreme power.

Yan Ming remained silent, his eyes fixed on the dragon throne, his resentment doubling.

If Yan Donghuang had not changed her mind at the last moment, that throne would be his. The one sitting on the dragon throne, receiving the officials’ homage, should be him, not Yan Donghuang, a mere woman.

“After I abdicate, I will become the Retired Emperor and move to Linzhi Palace to spend my old age. From now on, I will no longer interfere in state affairs, which will be fully handled by the new emperor.” Emperor Wu Lie said, then turned and left, supported by a young eunuch.

The ceremonial officer came to his senses and quickly announced loudly, “All officials, bow to the new emperor!”

The princes who had just stood up, angrily knelt again, reluctantly joining the officials in paying homage, “Long live the Emperor!”

Yan Donghuang looked around the hall expressionlessly, her gaze cold and distant, exuding an intimidating pressure that brooked no resistance.

From today on, the court truly belongs to Yan Donghuang.

All those who were dissatisfied would have to endure it.
All those with ulterior motives would face the consequences.

“Rise, all of you.” She spoke slowly, her voice cold and authoritative. “My imperial title is Fengwu. This year is the first year of Fengwu. I hope all of you will work with me to create a prosperous era of Fengwu.”

The officials bowed in unison, “Long live the Emperor!”

“Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”