Chapter 65

Qin Yang and Gu Chiran turned their heads, their lips tightly pressed, eyes glistening with tears.

“I was wrong,” Yan Donghuang’s voice was hoarse. “I was blind and deceived, mistakenly trusting Yan Ming, this wolf, not only ruining myself but almost destroying the Qingluan Army…”

“Your Highness,” Feng Yaoguang, seeing her in such pain, couldn’t bear to let her continue, “you haven’t rested well for two days. We’ll stay with you. Please sleep for a while and talk after you wake up.”

Yan Donghuang stared at him: “Can you promise me?”

Feng Yaoguang closed his eyes in pain and shook his head: “I can’t…”

He didn’t want to agree, couldn’t agree. As if nodding would mean accepting her death, a fact he couldn’t bear.

After a long silence, Yan Donghuang spoke again: “The one I saved from the Chu family, Zhonghuan, since I saved those mother and son, remember to take good care of them. They have suffered too much in the first half of their lives; let them live like humans in the second half.”

Feng Yaoguang bit his lip hard, his eyes filled with tears. He knelt before her, wanting to beg her to stop talking.

“The Empress is a kind person. I have interacted with her before. This time, she was implicated by Yan Ming, and I owe her.” Yan Donghuang’s voice was hoarse. “Even if the deposed Emperor’s Empress and concubines are released from the palace, it will be hard for them to remarry or live without being criticized. Yaoguang…”

“I understand,” Feng Yaoguang, with red eyes, replied, “I will arrange a quiet place for them in the palace so they can live the rest of their lives undisturbed.”

Yan Donghuang nodded, then looked up at him: “So you… agreed?”

Feng Yaoguang pressed his lips tightly, looking down without speaking.

Gu Chiran and Qin Yang looked at her with sadness, understanding that the Grand Princess was aware of Yaoguang’s feelings for her and worried he might do something rash. She left him with a heavy responsibility to give him a reason to live. They all understood the Grand Princess’s good intentions. Even if she couldn’t live long, she still cared about the Qingluan Army and her comrades who fought alongside her.

An invincible army offers hope in times of national crisis but also threatens the emperor during peace.

She wanted to ensure the Qingluan Army’s safety and integrity as much as possible, leaving the responsibility to the person she trusted most.

“If there is no war at the border,” Yan Donghuang gasped, her voice unable to hide the pain, “the other six generals can be stationed in various places…”

“Your Highness,” Gu Chiran said painfully, “please don’t worry about the Qingluan Army. We… we won’t let anything happen to them.”

“Yes, Chiran is right,” Feng Yaoguang nodded hurriedly, just to reassure her, “even if I die… even if I die, I won’t let anyone harm the Qingluan Army…”

Yan Donghuang frowned but then relaxed: “I trust you.”

“Your Highness…” Feng Yaoguang grabbed her hand, suddenly crying out, “Please don’t die, okay? I beg you, I don’t want you to die, please don’t die, I…”

Gu Chiran turned his head, wiping away the moisture from his eyes.

Qin Yang took a deep breath, suppressing the heat in his eyes. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his knuckles turning white.

“…I’m not dead yet.” Yan Donghuang trembled as she reached out to wipe Feng Yaoguang’s tears, trying to tease him, “Don’t… don’t be like this, a man… crying with tears and snot, isn’t it embarrassing…”

But before she finished speaking, she suddenly turned aside, and a mouthful of blood spurted out without warning, splattering everywhere.

The black blood was horrifying, instilling fear.

Feng Yaoguang’s face turned pale: “Your Highness—”

“…I’m fine.” Yan Donghuang gently exhaled, wiping the blood from her mouth, “After vomiting blood, I feel much better.”

The intense pain in her chest and abdomen eased slightly.

Yan Donghuang closed her eyes: “I’m too tired. Let me sleep for a while.”

“There are still many things to handle outside.” Qin Yang’s voice quickly regained its steadiness, his gaze falling on Feng Yaoguang, “Let Rong Ying take care of things here first, Yaoguang. You…”

Feng Yaoguang looked at Yan Donghuang’s pale face, his eyes lifeless. He quietly watched her for a long time, then suddenly got up and walked out. At that moment, his eyes were filled with endless coldness.

Prime Minister Pei and Grand Tutor Qi were still waiting outside. The officials were anxiously waiting, not knowing what would happen next.

Feng Yaoguang walked step by step to the main hall, looking at the neatly lined Qingluan soldiers. His handsome face was devoid of sadness, replaced by a cold and ruthless expression.

“The Ministry of Rites, prepare for the Grand Princess to ascend the throne after she wakes up,” he said coldly. “Anyone who dares to oppose will die.”

“The Grand Princess shows mercy to the Empress and concubines, pardoning them from death. They don’t have to leave the palace and can live out their days here.”

“The Chu family has committed grave sins. Apart from the Minister of War and his son sent to the military camp, the rest will be given white silk.”

“All palace servants who served the deposed Emperor are to be executed.”

“All Qingluan Army officers of the fourth rank and above are to enter the palace to pay respects to the new Emperor by noon.”

“All officials in the capital, from the highest-ranking ministers to the lowest-ranking officials, are to gather outside the Taihe Hall by noon. Those who don’t show up will be dismissed and expelled from the capital!”

With a few simple words, he easily decided the fate of many.

The ministers didn’t even dare to plead.

The Grand Princess was on the verge of death from poisoning, and her generals were all emotionally unstable. Anyone who dared to plead would likely lose their head before finishing their words, possibly implicating their families.

Those sentenced to death were all involved in the plot against the Grand Princess; how could they be spared?

The survival of the Empress and concubines, led by the Empress, was already beyond everyone’s expectations. This was the Grand Princess’s final mercy. Their survival meant their families wouldn’t be implicated, which was a relief for many.

After speaking, Feng Yaoguang turned to Prime Minister Pei and Grand Tutor Qi and asked, “Do you have anything to add?”

Prime Minister Pei shook his head: “The Grand Princess and the generals’ decisions are fine.”

“In that case, everyone should get to work.” Feng Yaoguang looked up at the sky, “It’s dawn, let’s get busy. Anyone who tries to play tricks now will immediately learn what it means to lose everything.”

After saying these words, Feng Yaoguang didn’t care about their thoughts and turned back to the side hall without looking back.

Chapter 66

Yan Donghuang fell into a deep sleep from exhaustion but slept very restlessly. Her brows were tightly furrowed, her body slightly curled up, and her condition was worse than any of the generals had ever seen. The pain was like a bone-attached maggot, unbearable and torturous; even in sleep, she couldn’t escape its bone-eroding torment.

Feng Yaoguang stood far away from her, afraid of disturbing her rare sleep, hating her own helplessness, and watching her suffer with no way to help.

“The imperial physicians are all outside. Can’t we use some pain-relieving medicine?” Gu Chiran frowned deeply, his eyes filled with endless sorrow.

“At least… at least it won’t hurt so much, and she can sleep well…”

“The military doctor said we can’t use medicine.” Feng Yaoguang clenched her hands, her voice hoarse. “What if we use the medicine, and she can’t hold on until Xie Yunjian returns? What then?”

Gu Chiran was slightly stunned, his mood suddenly becoming heavy.

Will Xie Yunjian definitely have the antidote when he returns?

Most medical knowledge in the world is interconnected. If the military doctors, imperial physicians, and experienced old doctors in the imperial city can’t do anything, where would there be so many hidden divine doctors? And where would there be so many miracles?

He hoped so much that the poison in the princess could be cured, but the hope was too slim. The longer the time dragged on, the less likely it was to detoxify.

Outside, ministers and palace servants had already started to get busy, preparing for a simple enthronement ceremony. The historian needed to record everything that happened tonight truthfully. The Qingluan Army had to deal with all the people who needed to be dealt with.

Those who went out to deliver orders delivered orders. Most of the low-ranking officials lived far away, and when the news reached their homes, they had to change into official robes and immediately take a carriage to the palace; otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to arrive before noon.

It was chaotic and busy, but because of the thick murderous atmosphere, it became oppressive and quiet. Everyone was on edge; there was no loud shouting or loud scolding. Even in the busyness, they tried to be as quiet as possible to ensure that Yan Donghuang, who was sleeping in the side hall, couldn’t hear much noise. She slept very deeply, not because she was in a deep sleep but because the poison had eroded her mind, making her somewhat confused.

The imperial physicians and military doctors were helpless.

Feng Yaoguang and the others were even more anxious and powerless, and they could not help but watch. Fortunately, she woke up after sleeping for more than an hour. When she woke up, she saw Chang Lan and Chang Yue standing by, their eyes red and a bit swollen. They clearly had cried, full of heartache and worry.

Yan Donghuang got up. Her movements were a bit stiff, her complexion was haggard and weak, and her condition was obviously worse than yesterday and the day before. She was showing signs of physical exhaustion.

Chang Yue and Chang Lan stepped forward to help her wash and dress.

“Your Highness.” Chang Lan spoke softly, her voice choked with sobs. “All the generals of the Qingluan Army have arrived outside the hall, and all the civil and military officials who should come have come.”

Chang Yue suppressed her sadness. “When the servants and I left the princess’s mansion, all the members of the Chu family in the dungeon were dragged out. General Feng ordered them all to be executed. The Empress Dowager was almost driven mad with anger, constantly cursing Your Highness. General Mu happened to hear her words when he entered the mansion and ordered her tongue to be cut off.”

Yan Donghuang responded with a hum, patting their heads. “Who in life has not faced death? It’s just a matter of sooner or later. Don’t be so sad.”

Chang Lan and Chang Yue lowered their heads, serving her as she washed.

After dressing and grooming, Yan Donghuang turned and walked out.

Everything that needed to be dealt with in the main hall had been dealt with.

Prime Minister Pei and Grand Tutor Qi had not left, and the important ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, Revenue, War, and Rites were all present.

Prince An, Yan Ling, had also arrived. Trapped in the Grand Princess’s mansion for two days, his robe was somewhat wrinkled. His face showed signs of exhaustion and pallor, and he looked less refined and elegant with stubble.

All seven generals of the Qingluan Army were present except for Xie Yunjian. Each had pale and ugly faces, silently and worriedly watching her.

Someone brought the dragon robe.

“Grand Princess… no, Your Majesty.” The chief eunuch of the inner court knelt on the ground, trembling as he spoke. “There wasn’t enough time to make a new dragon robe. This is… this is the dragon robe made for the previous emperor, but it was too small, so it was kept in the wardrobe of the tailoring workshop…”

Yan Donghuang didn’t say much, just ordered Chang Yue to take the clothes. After all, a woman’s height couldn’t match a man’s. The dragon robe was slightly long on her. The loose waist could be tied with a belt, and the hem dragged on the ground, looking somewhat like a long skirt.

Yan Donghuang didn’t mind these things. Anyway, she wouldn’t be an empress for more than two days. It was just a formality. Wearing the emperor’s crown, she walked step by step toward the outside of the hall with the support of Chang Yue and Chang Lan.

Standing on the hall’s steps, looking at the orderly troops on the square, she felt a familiar feeling. It was very similar to the enthronement ceremony two years ago, but the process was less grand and rigorous.

Low-ranking officials hurried from their homes, probably too rushed. Their attire did not look neat, and some people’s expressions were not yet adjusted. They looked panicked and uneasy.

Yan Donghuang didn’t mind these things. On the left were rows of civil officials, orderly; on the right were rows of men in black military uniforms, the generals of the Qingluan Army.

Civil and military officials were clearly divided.

The Qingluan Army replaced the Imperial Guards, standing on both sides of the square and the steps of the hall, imposing and uniform.

The Minister of Rites shouted: “Her Majesty the Empress ascends the throne today. All officials bow!”

The officials knelt down, their sleeves flicking: “We ministers greet Your Majesty, long live the emperor!”

Yan Donghuang quietly watched. Her pale cheeks, indifferent eyes, and detached expression made it seem as if everything in front of her had nothing to do with her.

The officials completed the three kneels and nine kowtows ceremony.

Yan Donghuang slowly turned, looking at the dragon throne in the center of the hall. That was the supreme position in the world, ruling the world with absolute power.

It was a place many people coveted, willing to risk their lives and pay any price to seize.

It was also a position with the power of life and death, with all the people of the world underfoot, deciding who lives and who dies.

Yan Donghuang stepped forward, walking step by step toward the dragon throne.

The hall was silent.

On the left, the important ministers of the third rank and above, led by the Prime Minister and Grand Tutor, followed into the hall; on the right, the generals, led by Gu Chiran and Feng Yaoguang, came steadily.

Yan Donghuang walked to the throne and sat down, quietly watching them. No one knew what she was thinking at that moment.

The civil and military officials knelt, their robes flicking, and bowed: “We ministers greet Your Majesty, long live the emperor!”

Yan Donghuang looked towards the right column at Feng Yaoguang, a sudden feeling of guilt rising in her heart.