Chapter 91: The Heart of an Emperor – Your Majesty, Go Ahead

Though he was the supreme ruler of the land, he was still just a child barely past ten. Li Yunli half-knelt and embraced him, while Li Han remained motionless, allowing her to hold him.

The soldiers behind Li Yunli swiftly stepped forward to handle the situation, efficiently carrying away the corpses behind her.

“Ah-Jie…”

The young emperor lowered his head, slipping away from her grasp as he spoke softly.

Li Yunli was surprised to find that there were no more traces of tears on his face.

“Your Majesty, the sky is dark, the wind is chilly outside—be careful of the cold.”

Li Yunli pulled the cloak tightly around him, shielding him from the wind.

“I should return to Mingde Hall.”

Li Han clutched the corner of her cloak, burying his face in her embrace as he whispered,

“The soldiers who helped suppress the rebellion are waiting for me.”

“I will escort Your Majesty there.”

Li Han nodded. Li Yunli stood up, and the surrounding soldiers automatically cleared a path.

No one spoke. The young emperor clung tightly to the edge of Li Yunli’s cloak.

The Inner Palace was not close to Mingde Hall, but neither of them called for horses. They walked in silence, each deep in thought.

Li Yunli rested her hand on the young emperor’s shoulder, while a few leading generals followed at a distance.

In her past life, she had once lived in the Inner Palace for a time. Back then, the late emperor was still alive, and Li Han was just a child who would always follow behind her, his big, clear eyes full of admiration for his elder sister. She, in turn, cared deeply for this pure and innocent younger brother, and over time, they developed a genuine sibling bond.

At the time, she had no ulterior motives. With the mindset of a modern person, she believed she could transcend the predetermined course of events. But reality struck her hard, forcing her to compromise again and again.

When Wei was overthrown, her military achievements made her a threat to the court. Assassination attempts and poisonings followed, leaving her with no choice but to retreat. She freed Yun Chu from prison and played the role of a hedonistic princess, indulging in a life of pleasure.

But within two years, she was schemed against and sent to Yongzhou. After several brushes with death, she lost her ambition and truly let herself fall.

Thinking back, her decision to step aside had been to clear a path for her younger brother.

She had been too young then, with a strange sense of self-sacrifice, willing to yield.

Li Yunli curled her lips into a smirk.

If she were the person she was now, she would never have stepped aside when the late emperor died.

A ten-year-old child should not have to endure the cold solitude of a throne. The seat above all others should belong to someone strong enough to hold it.

But unfortunately, her second chance had brought her back to this moment in the second year of Yuanhe.

Li Han had already been emperor for two years, forced to act as a puppet under the Empress Dowager’s control.

If she sought the throne now, Li Han would become a deposed emperor.

The worst outcome—he would be given a cup of poisoned wine. The best—he would be imprisoned for life.

As they walked in silence toward Mingde Hall, Li Yunli felt the small figure under her hand shiver slightly.

If she hadn’t been resting her hand on his shoulder, she might not have noticed.

“When Your Majesty meets the soldiers, have you thought about what to say?”

Li Yunli asked gently.

Li Han paused for a moment, then resumed walking.

“Those who have earned merit shall be rewarded, and those who conspired in rebellion shall be executed.”

Li Yunli nodded. “The traitors outside have not yet been eradicated—what will Your Majesty do?”

Li Han spoke softly, “The border armies at the frontier deter Changling Wang from acting rashly. He left with troops but without official passage documents. We can treat his soldiers as deserters and send the Yizhou forces to intercept and persuade them to surrender.”

“Rebellion is a grave crime. Knowing that, his soldiers dared to burn their bridges and fight to the death. But if Your Majesty grants clemency, Changling Wang will lose his grip on them, and his army will fall apart naturally. That is a viable plan,” Li Yunli agreed. “However, Yizhou’s forces only number twenty thousand—enough to contain Changling Wang, but what about the remnants of Wei?”

Li Han caught the test in her words. “The Shadow Guards have reported that you fought them in Yongzhou. They are all ruthless, death-seeking warriors.”

“Yes.”

“Death warriors may be determined, but few can truly fight with the resolve to die. Even if Zheng Siyuan has plotted for years, he does not command an army. After this battle, they will likely go into hiding.”

“If they conceal themselves among the common people and disrupt society, what then?”

Li Han inhaled deeply. “When you returned from Yongzhou, you appointed a new governor there. What do you think of him?”

Li Yunli hesitated for a moment.

After two years on the throne, this child barely over ten had already developed the insight and decisiveness of a ruler.

She smiled gently. “Your Majesty has already acquired an emperor’s heart. I no longer need to worry.”

“Ah-Jie.” Li Han looked up at her nervously.

Li Yunli nodded. “Mingde Hall is just ahead. Your Majesty, go on.”

“You won’t come with me?” Li Han looked at her, frowning slightly. “You played a great role in suppressing the rebellion. You should accompany me inside, or…”

“What reward does Your Majesty intend to grant the Princess of Nian’an?” Li Yunli smiled teasingly.

“I don’t know.” Li Han lowered his head. “The Empress Dowager and Changling Wang have committed treason. The court will undoubtedly condemn them. I will issue a self-reproach edict. You have rendered great service… If you wish, I…”

“Your Majesty,” Li Yunli interrupted calmly. “If the throne changes hands, the fate of the nation is uncertain. As ruler, you must not belittle yourself.”

Li Han sniffled, and a single tear fell to the ground.

“Go on.”

Li Yunli gently pushed him forward.

Ahead, the steps to Mingde Hall were illuminated, casting a solemn aura over the grand seat inside.

“I will watch Your Majesty ascend.”

Li Han’s gaze steadied, his expression shifting in an instant.

He responded with the faintest hum and stepped forward, climbing the stairs one by one.

Li Yunli watched in silence as voices inside called out in unison, declaring their loyalty. Then, she turned and left.

Night had fallen. With the palace in turmoil, the power structure of the court was about to be rewritten. Many were watching the movements of the Princess of Nian’an.

But Li Yunli did not go to Mingde Hall.

Instead, she rode straight back to her residence, leaving the chaos of the palace behind.

Galloping through the familiar palace paths, she charged into the Imperial Physician’s quarters, grabbed the physician on night duty, and carried him away on horseback.

The elderly physician, trembling in fear, had braced himself for the worst, convinced that the emperor had met some tragic fate. But instead, the princess took him straight out of the palace.

Bouncing along as they crossed nearly half the capital, the physician finally understood his purpose when they arrived at the Princess’s residence.

“Your Highness! Yun Shijun is in a bad state!”

Li Yunli’s expression darkened, and she urged her horse forward.

The Imperial Physician wiped his sweat and swore, “I will do my utmost!”

Inside the northern courtyard, Yun Chu lay motionless, his pale face nearly indistinguishable from the candlelight.

Would he die?

Li Yunli’s heart clenched.

She rarely felt such emotions—this unwillingness to lose something… someone.

“His pulse is stabilizing!” the physician suddenly declared.

Li Yunli snapped back to attention, rushing inside.