Chapter 103

Upon arriving at the palace, Yan Donghuang went straight to the Chongming Hall. The Emperor’s bedchamber was warm like spring, with the floor dragon burning. Emperor Wu Lie was leaning against the headboard, reading a book. He looked in good spirits today, much better than yesterday.

Seeing Yan Donghuang enter the hall, Rong Chun quickly stepped forward to salute, “This old servant greets the Crown Princess.”

“No need for formalities, Eunuch Rong,” Yan Donghuang said as she placed the food box on the table and took out various dishes. “How did Father sleep last night?”

“The Emperor slept well,” Rong Chun replied respectfully with a smile. “Your Highness need not worry.”

“Imperial Physician Wen adjusted the calming incense in the hall last night, and I slept quite well,” Emperor Wu Lie said, putting down his book and getting up with the help of a eunuch. “At my age, being able to sleep soundly for two or three hours is already rare.”

Seeing that he looked well, Yan Donghuang’s expression relaxed slightly. “If Father can regain the state he had when he was on the battlefield, living another twenty years wouldn’t be a problem.”

“If I live another twenty years, you’ll have to wait another twenty years,” Emperor Wu Lie said with a hint of humor as he sat down. “In twenty years, who knows if you’ll still be able to ascend the throne smoothly?”

Everyone in the court has their eyes on the throne. Forget twenty years, a lot can change in just two years. Moreover, twenty years is a long time, enough to turn a relatively wise middle-aged emperor into a muddle-headed old man making wrong decisions.

“If I want to, I can do it,” Yan Donghuang said as she placed a bowl of ginseng soup wontons in front of him and then sat down. “A lot happened yesterday. Is Father interested in hearing about it?”

“Go ahead,” Emperor Wu Lie nodded. “I’m just idling anyway.”

“After court yesterday, I didn’t go to the Qin Zheng Hall to review memorials but instead accepted an invitation to the Marquis of Pingyang’s mansion,” Yan Donghuang said calmly, her voice carrying a hint of coldness. “Marquis Chen Shaoheng invited Sheng Jingming, the legitimate son of the third branch of the Sheng family, Du Enyang, the son of Assistant Minister Du, Shen Jingyan, the legitimate son of the Shen family, and Wei Chengye, the nephew of the Duchess, to the mansion. Chen Shaoheng entertained his guests in the west garden while I was arranged in the east garden.”

Emperor Wu Lie took a sip of the ginseng soup and started eating the wontons. “These wontons taste good.”

“I’m glad Father likes them,” Yan Donghuang smiled. “They were talking loudly next door, saying that Father is muddle-headed in his old age for appointing a woman as the crown princess, that I am disrupting the social order, and that no man would be willing to share a wife with others.”

Emperor Wu Lie’s brows furrowed slightly. “They must be tired of living.”

“In a fit of anger, I ordered someone to cut off Shen Jingyan’s tongue and made all four of them male concubines in the Grand Princess’s mansion,” Yan Donghuang said indifferently.

Emperor Wu Lie looked up in surprise. “Such worthless scum should be killed outright. Making them concubines is a waste of food.”

“Dead men are dead, but living men can be controlled,” Yan Donghuang said calmly. “The food they waste is nothing. I don’t intend for them to enjoy life in the mansion. There will be no delicacies, only leftovers.”

Emperor Wu Lie was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. “You know what you’re doing. Right now, your foundation is not stable, so it’s not wise to kill too many people, lest it causes panic in the court and backfires.”

Yan Donghuang lowered her eyes. “Thank you for understanding, Father.”

Emperor Wu Lie ate another wonton. “What happened next? Didn’t their fathers cause a scene?”

“They did for a while, but then they seemed to come to their senses and went to the Marquis of Pingyang’s mansion to seek justice. My sister had just become pregnant and had a miscarriage because of it.”

“Yushu is useless,” Emperor Wu Lie’s face turned cold, his brows furrowing. “Did she invite you to the mansion on purpose to let you hear those people talk? What a clumsy scheme. What was she thinking? She has no brains at all.”

A general who has experienced life and death on the battlefield would be afraid of a few officials’ sons’ slander?

What a joke.

“Yesterday’s scheme can be called clumsy, even trivial, but Chen Shaoheng instructing my sister to poison me is not trivial,” Yan Donghuang said, taking a bite of a bun. “I had my sister write a divorce letter to Chen Shaoheng and ordered Feng Yaoguang to raid the Marquis of Pingyang’s mansion, planning to use severe punishment to interrogate and find out the mastermind.”

Emperor Wu Lie pondered. A mere Marquis of Pingyang indeed had no reason or courage to poison the crown princess because even if he succeeded, the entire marquisate would be wiped out – unless someone promised to spare their lives.

Emperor Wu Lie thought deeply. “Among the princes in the court, who could give Chen Shaoheng enough confidence to believe he could poison you and get away with it?”

Yan Donghuang looked at Emperor Wu Lie, a slight smile on her lips. “Does Father have no doubts about what I said?”

Emperor Wu Lie remained silent, continuing to eat. “I know your character best.” His tone was calm and matter-of-fact, without a hint of doubt.

Yan Donghuang fell silent, feeling a pang of bitterness in her heart. Perhaps the only person in the world truly worth her trust and who unconditionally trusts her is her father.

“Donghuang, since I have appointed you as regent, you have the authority to do anything. I won’t interfere,” Emperor Wu Lie said. “You don’t need to worry about causing any unrest. People fear death, and the court officials are no exception. They don’t have the guts to oppose the military.”

Yan Donghuang nodded. “Yes.”

Emperor Wu Lie quickly moved on to official matters. “I heard you and Prime Minister Pei have already discussed disaster relief?”

“Yes,” Yan Donghuang said calmly. “The people’s livelihood is the foundation of the country.”

“You are right. Iron-fisted suppression is for rebels, but for the people, as long as you care for them and ensure they live stable lives, you will be a good emperor,” Emperor Wu Lie said seriously. “They won’t care if you are male or female, cold or gentle. As long as you have the people’s support, your throne will be secure, and no one can shake it.”

With the Qingluan Army suppressing internally and the support of millions of people externally. Who can shake her throne?

“Donghuang, Yong Dynasty has been at war for years, and the treasury is not very full, but there are many corrupt officials in the court. Before you ascend the throne, confiscating a few households will be enough for disaster relief,” Emperor Wu Lie said lightly, clearly unconcerned about the Marquis of Pingyang’s matter. “So don’t be afraid of them causing trouble. If they do, the disaster relief funds will naturally come.”

Yan Donghuang was silent for a moment, suddenly feeling that her father made… a lot of sense.

“You just mentioned that Yushu wrote a divorce letter to Chen Shaoheng?” Emperor Wu Lie finally reacted to this matter, his brows furrowing. “When did she gain such courage?”

Yan Donghuang smiled faintly. “Maybe she was stimulated and suddenly found the courage.”

Emperor Wu Lie looked at her thoughtfully, then hummed softly and asked no more.

Chapter 104

Yan Donghuang, considering the emperor’s frail health, only chatted with him for a short while. She instructed Rong Chun to take good care of the emperor before taking her leave.

Upon returning to the Grand Princess’s residence, she found the Prime Minister, the Grand Tutor, and almost all the ministers and vice ministers present—except for Minister Chu, who had been executed. Everyone held a memorial in their hands, and their attitudes were particularly solemn and clear. Despite the spacious study, it couldn’t accommodate so many people at once. So, she instructed the Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor to rest in the study while the other ministers waited outside. She then went to the inner courtyard.

Imperial Physician Wen was still there, taking Princess Yan Yushu’s pulse. Madam Cui had arranged for Princess Fengyang to stay in a small, quiet courtyard in the northwest corner of the Grand Princess’s residence, near the garden, with corridors on two sides. Besides Qing’er and Hui’er, Madam Cui also assigned two clever maids to deliver meals to her.

“Except for the three meals a day, you are not allowed to approach Princess Fengyang. No matter what she asks you to do, you must report to me first. I will then report to the Grand Princess. If you act on your own, it will be a dead end for you. Understand?”

The two maids knelt and replied, “Yes, Madam.”

As Yan Donghuang entered the courtyard, she overheard Madam Cui’s instructions. She glanced at the two maids, who seemed clever and obedient, not the scheming type.

“Your Highness,” Madam Cui greeted Yan Donghuang, bowing. “Imperial Physician Wen is inside, taking Princess Fengyang’s pulse.”

The two maids knelt, “Greetings, Crown Princess.”

“Stand up,” Yan Donghuang said calmly. “Do as Madam Cui instructs. If Princess Fengyang has any dietary requests, fulfill them if possible. However, her maids are not allowed to leave easily or contact anyone. Report any abnormalities to Madam Cui immediately.”

“Yes.”

Inside, Princess Yan Yushu lay quietly on the bed.

Imperial Physician Wen advised, “Princess has just had a miscarriage and is very weak. You must avoid catching a cold and rest well for a month, eating light and nutritious food.”

Princess Yan Yushu nodded, “Thank you, Imperial Physician.”

“It’s my duty,” Imperial Physician Wen replied, giving some additional instructions before leaving. He bowed to Yan Donghuang in the courtyard, “Your Highness.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Imperial Physician Wen,” Yan Donghuang nodded.

“Madam Cui, give Imperial Physician Wen some silver.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you, Crown Princess.”

Yan Donghuang entered the room and looked at Princess Yan Yushu lying on the bed. “I have ordered the confiscation of the Marquis’s residence and imprisoned Chen Shaoheng and his mother in the Ministry of Justice’s prison, with orders for severe interrogation.”

Princess Yan Yushu’s face changed, and she quickly sat up, “Severe interrogation?”

“Why?” Yan Donghuang’s expression was stern. “Do you feel sorry for them?”

“Of course not,” Princess Yan Yushu denied instinctively, then smiled bitterly, “I’m just a bit surprised.”

“Rest well,” Yan Donghuang said, turning to leave. “I have many matters to attend to and can’t stay here with you.”

“Thank you, Donghuang,” Princess Yan Yushu said, watching her leave.

Yan Donghuang paused at the door. “I’m not doing this for you. There’s no need to thank me.”

Princess Yan Yushu said nothing, lying back down with a somber expression.

Was Yan Donghuang planning to imprison her?
…

Handling state affairs was tedious and dull.

Yan Donghuang entered the study, where ministers took turns reporting their matters. Compared to the previous days, their attitudes were noticeably more sincere and respectful. They discussed matters with impeccable diligence, even more meticulously than when discussing them with the emperor. They feared any negligence might be seen as disloyalty by Yan Donghuang.

By noon, the discussions were over.

Yan Donghuang returned to the Qingluan Hall and summoned Si Ying and Rong Ying. “How is the investigation on Noble Lady Wei going?”

Si Ying reported, “Imperial Physician Feng only contacted Noble Lady Wei once and has taken no further action. Since Consort De was sent to the Cold Palace, Noble Lady Wei hasn’t appeared either. However, we found something strange.”

“What is it?”

“Noble Lady Wei’s ancestral home is in Xiangzhou, the same place as the poison expert from Prince An’s residence. We haven’t found any connection between them yet.”

Yan Donghuang’s mind clicked, and the chaotic threads of her thoughts finally came together. She realized the whole truth of her past life’s betrayal. If Noble Lady Wei was indeed Prince An’s person, the reason for the Seven-Day Intestinal Poison became clear. She was Prince An’s person, and Prince An’s residence had a poison expert.

That person developed the poison, which, combined with Imperial Physician Feng’s modified Seven-Day Intestinal Poison, became an incurable toxin.

Noble Lady Wei lived with Consort De, and her father had interests tied to the Chu family. For her father’s sake, she would willingly work for Consort De and her son—at least on the surface.

No one would suspect she was Prince An’s person. Everything she did was because of her connection with Consort De and her son.

Yan Ming was being used. Besides being cruel and suspicious, he was also incredibly foolish, overlooking a crucial point—

If she died, the Qingluan Army would avenge her at all costs. Yan Ming’s intense desire to eliminate her blinded him to this fact. He didn’t realize that letting her live for seven more days meant his own death. But for Prince An, those seven days were crucial, as he needed that time to incite a palace coup. Although she would eventually die from the poison, Yan Ming wouldn’t survive either.

Yan Ming had purged the royal family, leaving only Yan Ling. Once she and Yan Ming died, Yan Ling would be the sole heir to the throne.

Prince An’s plan was flawless, almost foolproof.

No one would suspect the seemingly indifferent Prince An of being involved in such a conspiracy.

No one would think he was the mastermind behind it all.

Prince An, who appeared uninterested in power, had no military authority and little influence in court. Who would think he coveted the throne?

When only he remained, he could ascend to the throne effortlessly. Lack of military power wouldn’t matter. If she personally declared him the heir, the Qingluan Army would surely support him.

Lack of political experience wouldn’t matter either. As the only legitimate prince, the court officials would have no choice but to be loyal to him. He could hold a selection, bringing the daughters of influential officials into the palace, ensuring their loyalty.

Yan Donghuang’s thoughts became clear. She pressed her hand to her forehead, feeling a mix of relief and fear for her past decisions. She couldn’t imagine the regret she would have felt if she had followed the royal succession rules and given the throne to that wolf.

Even if she had been reborn.
Even if her past life was just a dream.
She would still think her dream self was hopelessly foolish.