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Shen Ning refused the suggestion to become the new Emperor of Nan Dynasty.
It was not because she was indifferent to fame and wealth, nor was it due to her noble nature, it was simply that the true credit for the conquest of Nan Dynasty belonged to Chu Yunxiao and his generals, not her.
She had taken her revenge, and her mission in Nan Dynasty was complete.
Her current identity was no longer that of the War Goddess Princess, and there was no reason, either emotionally or logically, for her to become the Empress of Nan Dynasty.
After much contemplation, Ji Yucang did not force her any further and issued an edict.
Nan Dynasty was destroyed, and its territory was incorporated into the Yong Kingdom, with the people of Nan Dynasty and Yong treated equally from then on.
Before leaving Nan Dynasty, Shen Ning went to visit the dying Yan Yunshuo.
The severely injured Yan Yunshuo was confined in a windowless secret chamber. Ji Yucang had struck him with great force, the external injuries did not look alarming, but the extent of the internal damage was enough to make him feel extreme pain whether sitting, lying down, or standing.
Shen Ning approached the door, and someone opened it for her. She stepped over the threshold and saw Yan Yunshuo curled up on the only small bed in the secret chamber, looking extremely disheveled, without a trace of his former lofty dignity.
The secret chamber was dimly lit, and the air was not very fresh.
A table held one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and rice, all untouched.
Shen Ning turned her head to look at the figure on the bed, her voice indifferent: “Is it very painful?”
The secret chamber seemed to fall silent in an instant, as if even the pain could be briefly suspended.
Yan Yunshuo stiffly turned his head and then slowly sat up from the bed, his movements sluggish, his voice hoarse: “Who are you, really?”
“Can’t you guess?”
Yan Yunshuo’s pupils suddenly contracted: “I have never seen you before, how could I possibly guess?”
“When the army was at the gates, didn’t your ministers advise you to flee?” Shen Ning leaned against the wall, asking casually, “There’s a secret passage beneath the Diligent Government Hall, dug out by the founding Emperor and left for his descendants as an escape route. Before the city fell, you only needed to order your confidants to stock it with dry rations, seven days would be enough for them to lead you out of the imperial city.”
The passage was long, and escaping through it would take one far from the imperial city. The exit led to a secret courtyard known only to the Emperor, where one could hide for days, disguise themselves, and even if there was a manhunt, there would at least be ample time to plan the next step of the escape.
“This is a royal secret, how… how do you know about it?” Yan Yunshuo staggered to his feet, looking at Shen Ning with a shocked and horrified expression, “Who are you? Who… are you?!”
Shen Ning watched him silently, her eyes calm and cold.
Yan Yunshuo began to suspect something, his legs weakened, and an incredible look appeared in his eyes: “This can’t be! It’s absolutely impossible…”
“The world is always so mysterious, nothing is impossible.” Shen Ning’s voice was indifferent, “Just like when Nan Dynasty was in crisis, someone turned the tide, yet years of military achievements became your excuse to kill her. Just like when the army was at the gates, everyone thought you would abandon the city and flee, but you insisted on staying here until the very last moment.”
As she spoke, Shen Ning suddenly smiled: “Perhaps others think you are an iron-willed Emperor, dying for your country, but you and I both know that you couldn’t bear to leave the dragon throne, it’s your life. You couldn’t endure the days of wandering after fleeing, couldn’t bear the humiliation of being hunted like a rat, Yan Yunshuo, you are so proud that you can’t lower your head, yet you are foolish enough to destroy your own foundation—”
“You are War Goddess Princess!” Yan Yunshuo clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on Shen Ning, “You are Princess Jiuli, aren’t you? Younger sister, Nan Dynasty is your country, and I am your imperial brother! Even if there were misunderstandings between us, you shouldn’t have destroyed the legacy left by our ancestors! Why did you do this? Why?”
Shen Ning stared at him for a long time before suddenly smiling lightly: “Because I wanted to destroy your empire, to make you pay the price for your foolish and ignorant actions, to let you experience the consequences of your own doing, to make you live in pain for the rest of your life, and die without the face to meet our ancestors.”
Thud.
Yan Yunshuo’s legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees on the ground.