Chapter 63

Yan Donghuang placed her hand on the table in front of her. The old doctor turned and, trembling, asked the kneeling maid for a piece of cloth.

Yan Donghuang’s voice was hoarse and weak: “I don’t care about these rules, just do it.”

However, while she could afford not to care, the doctor dared not be careless. The maid handed over the cloth just in time.

The old doctor covered Yan Donghuang’s wrist with the cloth and knelt in front of her, carefully taking her pulse. His once refined and scholarly face gradually showed signs of shock.

“Don’t worry, just tell the truth,” Yan Donghuang said calmly. “Don’t take Yaoguang’s words to heart; I won’t let him kill the innocent.”

The old doctor, who lived in the capital, had heard about the poisoning of the Grand Princess the day before.

The news had been spread. The current Emperor could not tolerate the Grand Princess and had ordered Sheng Jing’an to poison her on her wedding night, intending to kill her. In her fury, the Grand Princess rebelled. She launched a coup tonight, and the mobilization of troops caused panic throughout the capital. But as he was brought into the palace, he saw very few corpses along the way. So when the Grand Princess said she wouldn’t kill the innocent, he believed her.

This made him feel even more sorrowful. As a doctor, he had excellent medical skills but could not save this Grand Princess who had defended the country.

“If it were just the Seven-Day Poison, I might have a way to make an antidote,” the old doctor said, trembling as he withdrew his hand, his face filled with guilt and self-reproach. “But the Poison was mixed with a kind of entangling poison, which wraps the toxins around the internal organs like threads, spreading throughout the body with the red lines. I… I am powerless…”

Feng Yaoguang staggered, his body barely perceptibly swaying, then his eyes reddened, and he roared: “If there’s no way, find a way! There are countless herbs in the world; isn’t there one that can cure this poison?!”

“Yaoguang,” Yan Donghuang coughed lightly, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, “don’t make things difficult for the doctor.”

Feng Yaoguang clenched his fists, his eyes red angrily: “Besides the antidote, is there any other way? Like transferring the poison to another person…”

The old doctor understood his meaning but shook his head heavily.

Feng Yaoguang’s face turned pale, a sense of despair washing over him.

Yan Donghuang got up and walked outside the hall, looking at the neatly lined soldiers in the square. Her voice was weak and tired: “I have fought on the battlefield for many years, ruling the army strictly. My soldiers have never bullied civilians or pointed their weapons at unarmed people.”

Prime Minister Pei and Grand Tutor Qi remained silent. At this moment, they didn’t know how else to react.

“I always thought death was not scary; soldiers always have a day when they die wrapped in horsehide, and they should die with honor.”

“The late Emperor fought on the battlefield before ascending the throne and led several personal expeditions to quell internal strife and stabilize the country. He was always my goal, and I wanted to be like him.”

“But it’s really ironic.”

“I didn’t die on the battlefield but at the hands of the person I trusted the most.”

“The person I personally supported to rise to power is the one who personally put me to death.”

Prime Minister Pei and Grand Tutor Qi lowered their heads, feeling the same sadness and irony. Since ascending the throne, the Emperor had been busy eliminating dissidents, killing four princes in less than three years. The ministers had advised him, but he didn’t listen. They thought the Emperor was only wary of his brothers, not expecting him to treat the Grand Princess the same way. This ultimately led to his downfall and the loss of his kingdom. Is this self-inflicted?

“Prime Minister Pei, Grand Tutor Qi, Minister Yuan,” Yan Donghuang turned her head, her gaze sweeping past Prime Minister Pei’s face to look at Grand Tutor Qi and the Minister of Rites, “I will depose the Emperor today and establish myself as the ruler. Let the historians record tonight’s events truthfully.”

“Grand Princess!” Prime Minister Pei’s face changed, “We are heartbroken by your plight, but… but there has never been a precedent for a princess to become an emperor in the history of the Yong Dynasty.”

“Please reconsider!”

The Minister of Rites knelt: “Please reconsider!”

“Reconsider what?” Feng Yaoguang’s gaze was as sharp and fierce as an ice blade, “The Grand Princess can go to the battlefield to defend the country but can’t establish herself as the ruler? Did you have such pedantic views during the late Emperor’s reign? Today, you must agree whether you want to or not!”

“The Grand Princess doesn’t want to kill indiscriminately because she is merciful. But I’m not!”

“Whoever disagrees, I will kill them!”

“But… but the Grand Princess is poisoned. If there is no antidote…” Prime Minister Pei said worriedly, “If something happens to the new ruler right after ascending the throne, the Yong Dynasty will immediately fall into chaos. Please understand our concerns.”

The Minister of Rites weakly said: “Prince An is the only remaining bloodline of the late Emperor’s sons, and he has always been close to the Grand Princess. I think… I think it would be most appropriate for Prince An to succeed the throne.”

Yan Donghuang shook her head, the intense pain spreading through her body like a thousand cuts, eroding her flesh and bones. Her face was pale, and cold sweat glistened on her forehead: “I had made up my mind.”

The punishment continued below the hall, Sheng Jing’an’s screams growing weaker, almost more out than in.

The old lady fainted several times and screamed for mercy several times, but in the end, she could only watch helplessly as her son suffered under the staff, finally taking his last breath.

The eastern sky gradually lightened. Another night was about to pass.

Yan Donghuang’s lips turned white as she looked at the gray sky: “Today is my first day as the ruler. You don’t need to persuade me. Just let me fulfill my wish to be an empress before I die. Isn’t that good?”

Prime Minister Pei moved his lips but didn’t know what to say. He turned to look at Grand Tutor Qi.

Grand Tutor Qi, who was old and had served three emperors, looked at Yan Donghuang’s trembling body, seemingly guessing her intentions, and asked: “Will the Grand Princess make all the necessary arrangements?”

Yan Donghuang nodded: “I will.”

Just as Prime Minister Pei was about to speak, a commotion was heard outside the Fengtian Gate: “Imperial Physician Wen has arrived.”

Chapter 64

The over-forty-year-old Imperial Physician Wen hurriedly arrived, escorted by two Qingluan soldiers, stumbling and looking panicked, gasping for breath. Ignoring the elite soldiers outside the main hall, he entered directly, bowing fearfully to the Grand Princess: “Your Highness, this old servant greets you—”

“Take her pulse,” Feng Yaoguang interrupted.

Imperial Physician Wen adjusted his emotions and breathing, covered Yan Donghuang’s wrist with the cloth used by the previous doctor, and carefully took her pulse.

Feng Yaoguang, Qin Yang, and Gu Chiran stared at him intently, holding onto a sliver of unrealistic hope, like prisoners awaiting a verdict, holding their breath in tension.

Prime Minister Pei and Grand Tutor Qi also watched the physician’s expression, hoping for a chance to detoxify her.

However, as time passed, Imperial Physician Wen withdrew his hand and showed a sorrowful expression, instantly shattering everyone’s hope.

Yan Donghuang, silent and weary, calmly accepted the reality. She looked around at the people before her and tiredly instructed: “There are pregnant concubines in the harem; each should be given a bowl of miscarriage medicine. This task is assigned to Imperial Physician Jiang.”

Imperial Physician Jiang shivered and instinctively glanced at Yan Ming.

“Donghuang, the children… what have they done wrong?” Yan Ming looked up at Yan Donghuang, his eyes filled with resentment. “The children are innocent! How can you be so ruthless?”

Yan Donghuang coldly replied, “Your sins should be borne by your children.”

“Killing princes is a grave crime—”

“I can kill an emperor; why would I care about two princes?” Yan Donghuang sneered. “Yan Ming, I have been merciful enough not to subject you to a thousand cuts; you should be grateful.”

Yan Ming roared: “Donghuang, it’s all my fault! Everything is my fault! Can you spare them? I’m begging you…”

“Spare them?” Yan Donghuang coldly said, “So they can grow up and seize the throne? Dream on!”

She coldly ordered: “Imperial Physician Jiang, prepare the medicine now. Other physicians, take the pulse of the Empress and the concubines one by one. While I still have breath, let’s resolve all matters.”

Imperial Physician Jiang, pale and terrified, dared not disobey: “Yes.”

Yan Donghuang closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair, her face already showing a bluish-black hue. The intensified pain made her voice tremble: “Historians, record this: On March 26, Princess Qingluan Yan Donghuang, following the late Emperor’s will, deposed Emperor Zhaoming, demoted Yan Ming to a commoner, and had him beaten to death outside the Meridian Gate, his body exposed for three days as a warning…”

“Yan Donghuang, how dare you?!” With a sudden burst of strength, Yan Ming lunged at Yan Donghuang. “You are poisoned and should die quietly. Why are you still alive? How can you decide my fate? How dare you?! I won’t let you have your way—”

Feng Yaoguang blocked him with a kick, using hardly any force.

Yan Ming fell to the ground with a thud, the shackles on his feet clanging loudly.

Feng Yaoguang stepped on his back, looking down at him: “Still calling yourself ‘Emperor’? How reluctant are you to give up the throne? Power is very important to you, isn’t it?”

“You were afraid others would take your throne, so you killed all capable people to feel secure.”

“But you miscalculated!”

“Even as the ruler of a nation, you can’t have everything your way.”

“Those who do evil will meet their end.”

“You are destined to be abandoned and despised.”

“In future history books, you will be scorned as a foolish and heartless tyrant, a treacherous wolf!”

With these words, he struck Yan Ming with the scabbard: “Beast! Scum! Trash!”

With each curse, the heavy scabbard struck Yan Ming’s head as if wanting to kill him immediately.

“Ah!” Yan Ming screamed in agony, his head and face covered in blood, a horrifying sight.

“Yaoguang!” Gu Chiran and Qin Yang simultaneously stepped forward, pulling his arms from both sides. “Enough, calm down.”

The air was oppressive and stagnant. The ministers in the hall, witnessing this scene, were truly terrified, their faces pale.

“Yaoguang, I’m tired. Help me inside to rest.” Yan Donghuang stood up, reaching out to Feng Yaoguang. “Qin Yang, Chiran, you come too.”

Feng Yaoguang withdrew his foot, suppressing his explosive anger, and turned to support Yan Donghuang.

“Drag Sheng Jing’an’s body to the mass grave to feed the dogs,” Yan Donghuang ordered coldly, looking outside the hall. “Give the Sheng family matriarch a whole body and drag her out with her son.”

“Drag Yan Ming to the Wu Gate and beat him to death.”

“Grant Consort De death, exile the Shen family to the border, and make them slaves for life.”

Consort De collapsed to the ground, her face pale. The Shen family cried for mercy, claiming they knew nothing, but Yan Donghuang only glanced at them indifferently before turning to the side hall with Feng Yaoguang’s support.

Gu Chiran and Qin Yang followed silently.

Entering the side hall, Yan Donghuang half-lay on the wide couch: “I know Xie Yunjian has gone to seek the divine doctor, but I must tell you the worst news: no doctor can save me.”

“Your Highness,” Feng Yaoguang’s face was pale, his voice trembling, “No, it can’t be. Xie Yunjian personally went to ask for help; it will work…”

“These past two days have been busy, and I have had little rest, which only accelerates the poison’s spread.” Yan Donghuang slowly curled up, suppressing the pervasive pain. “I have some things to say; listen to me.”

Feng Yaoguang didn’t want to listen. His eyes were red, filled with deep pain and despair.

“I ascended the throne not out of attachment to power but to have a legitimate status to pass it on.” Yan Donghuang’s gaze fell on Feng Yaoguang’s face. “Yaoguang, if I die, you must not act recklessly. I want to entrust the kingdom to you…”

Feng Yaoguang was stunned. What?

Yan Donghuang took a deep breath, suppressing the blood rising in her throat: “No matter who becomes the emperor, the Qingluan Army will be a thorn in their side. Today’s coup was initiated by me, but the Qingluan Army’s strength and loyalty make people fearful. Any new emperor will worry about another coup. Only you, Yaoguang, can ensure the Qingluan soldiers’ safety.”

Feng Yaoguang’s body stiffened, his lips turning white: “No.”

“This is an order,” Yan Donghuang said coldly, “No one can oppose it.”

Feng Yaoguang’s face was pale, his eyes filled with sorrow.

“Yaoguang,” Yan Donghuang trembled with pain, “The Qingluan Army is my greatest concern. Prince An is kind-hearted but weak-willed. If he ascends the throne, it will not be good for the Yong Kingdom. I hope you can live well for me.”