Chapter 67

Feeling guilty for not being able to reciprocate his feelings, guilty for entrusting him with such a heavy responsibility without giving him a chance to refuse. Even more guilty for the mess he would have to deal with next.

Yan Donghuang withdrew her gaze, took a light breath, and suppressed the waves of excruciating pain. She spoke with difficulty, “Yan Ming is incompetent and unworthy of being the emperor of the Yong Dynasty. At noon, he will be flogged to death outside the Wu Gate, and his body will be exposed for three days to show everyone the fate of a foolish ruler.”

The ministers on both sides lowered their heads, their expressions showing a bit of fear.

“Generals and the army are the foundation of a stable dynasty, the tools to defend the borders, and the confidence that deters foreign enemies from invading. Only a wise ruler can the country be strong, and the people be at peace.” Yan Donghuang gripped the golden armrest, her lips pale from weakness. “I have been poisoned and do not have much time left. I must announce the next emperor today as the Son of Heaven.”

The officials knelt down and bowed, “Long live Your Majesty!”

Yan Donghuang’s gaze swept over the ministers, her voice tired and weak but resolute, “General Yaoguang of the Qingluan Army, one of the seven generals, is virtuous and talented in both civil and military. I recognized him as my sworn brother, bestowed him the surname Yan, and appointed him as the Crown Prince. After my death, he shall ascend the throne as the new emperor.”

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials were all shocked.

Even the soldiers of the Qingluan Army, who were previously unaware, were amazed and turned to look at Feng Yaoguang.

However, Feng Yaoguang lowered his head, his face pale, surrounded by a thick aura of sorrow.

“Your Majesty!” Prime Minister Pei hurriedly knelt, “This is against the rules. Please reconsider! General Feng is indeed talented and virtuous, and we deeply respect him, but… but…”

The Minister of Rites followed, “Prince An is Your Majesty’s elder brother and the only remaining bloodline of the late emperor. If anything happens to Your Majesty, the throne should be passed to Prince An.”

“Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”
“Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”

Yan Donghuang coughed lightly, suppressing the bloody taste rising in her throat, “It’s not that I don’t want to pass the throne to my seventh brother, but… but Yong Dynasty cannot withstand turmoil…”

“Your Majesty!”

“The throne should be occupied by the capable.” Yan Donghuang frowned, enduring the pain, “Although Prince An is the bloodline of our father and my elder brother, he is weak and indecisive, not suitable to be the ruler of a country.”

“Only by having Feng Yaoguang ascend the throne can the Qingluan Army be better placed, ensuring that the generals can fully utilize their talents, defend the borders, and prevent foreign invasions.”

“Only a general who has personally experienced life and death can accommodate equally strong generals, understand the difficulties of border soldiers, and not easily disregard the soldiers’ lives, thus making Yong Dynasty more stable…”

Yan Donghuang’s speech became increasingly difficult and intermittent as her strength continued to drain, but her decision remained unchanged.

Prince Yan Ling lowered his eyes, silent. He, indeed, was not suitable to be the ruler of a country. However, Feng Yaoguang was an outsider with a different surname and no blood relation to the royal family. What identity and position did Donghuang have to pass the throne to him?

“Before evening, please have the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Rites draft the edict of succession. I… cough cough, I need to review it…” Yan Donghuang coughed hoarsely, looking up at Prime Minister Pei, “Prime Minister Pei, there must be no mistakes.”

Prime Minister Pei was in turmoil, not knowing what to do. This was the Yan family’s kingdom. How could it be passed to an outsider?

“I deposed and established the emperor, three parts for personal reasons, seven for the sake of Yong Dynasty.” Yan Donghuang’s gaze fell on the ministers, “Last night’s palace coup, except for those involved in plotting against me, my Qingluan Army did not kill an innocent person. Except for the commander-in-chief Ying Rong, the Imperial Guards suffered no casualties.”

“But this only applies to last night.”

“Today, I have ascended the throne. If there are any who defy the decree, I will no longer be merciful. Those who defy the decree will be dealt with accordingly… cough cough cough! Cough cough cough…”

The excruciating pain surged like a tidal wave. Yan Donghuang gripped the armrest tightly with one hand and clutched her chest with the other, almost curling up into a ball.

“Your Majesty!” Feng Yaoguang rushed forward.

Qin Yang and Gu Chiran couldn’t care about anything else, so they took three steps at a time to reach Yan Donghuang. “Your Majesty!”

“Imperial Physician Wen! Imperial Physician Wen!” Feng Yaoguang picked up Yan Donghuang and hurriedly walked towards the rear hall, shouting urgently, “Call Imperial Physician Wen!”

The generals on the right side followed without hesitation as if an enemy had suddenly attacked, urgently gathering to discuss military matters.

The civil and military officials were tense and uneasy, not knowing what to do.

Imperial Physician Wen and Doctor Hao had not left. During Yan Donghuang’s morning rest, Qin Yang had sent someone to bring the military doctor as well. Now, the three doctors took turns checking her pulse, each with a worried expression.

“Is there any way to alleviate the pain a little?” Feng Yaoguang looked at the three doctors, “Think of a way. We can’t let her suffer like this.”

Yan Donghuang began to vomit blood again.

A palace maid brought a dragon basin to the bedside, and Yan Donghuang leaned over the bed, vomiting blood in large mouthfuls.

The military doctor stood by, his eyes filled with sorrow, “There is a medicine that can alleviate the pain a little but in Her Majesty’s condition… her lungs and internal organs are likely damaged beyond repair, and medicine is ineffective.”

“What if we invite a divine doctor?”

“What divine doctor?” Doctor Hao’s voice was wooden, “Even if there is a divine doctor, there might have been a chance in the first two days of poisoning, but now it’s probably too late.”

Feng Yaoguang was shocked, looking at Doctor Hao and the military doctor.

The two were silent, nodding in unison. One was a doctor from the imperial city, one was a military doctor, and one was an imperial physician. All were highly skilled, yet they unanimously announced this despairing result.

Feng Yaoguang’s last hope was shattered, leaving him in a daze as if he had lost all vitality.

Yan Donghuang struggled to stay conscious, mustering her strength to speak, “You all go out.”

The small side hall was crowded with seven generals, plus the guards at the door and the three doctors, making it feel cramped.

Yan Donghuang left Feng Yaoguang alone.

Seeing his pain and despair, Yan Donghuang’s guilt deepened.

“Yaoguang, I am very selfish.” Her voice was weak, “I know your feelings, but not only can I not reciprocate, I also leave you with such a heavy responsibility at the last moment. I shouldn’t have, but I… I…”

Before she could finish, blood began to seep from her throat.

Feng Yaoguang felt a piercing pain in his heart, rushing forward and crying, “Don’t say anymore! I don’t blame you. It’s all my own willingness…”

“Yaoguang.” Yan Donghuang reached to touch his face, “If there is a next life, I… I will definitely…”

Feng Yaoguang shook his head in pain, “I don’t want a next life. I just want you not to die in this life, Your Highness…”

“Maybe this is fate.” Yan Donghuang mocked herself, “It’s my fate.”

Feng Yaoguang, with red eyes, shouted, “You overturned the kingdom. Why can’t you fight fate one more time? Is it destined that you must die? Why can’t you defy the heavens?!”

“Can you… can you stop saying foolish things?” Yan Donghuang felt helpless and heartbroken. “I’m just an ordinary person. How can I defy the heavens?”

Feng Yaoguang cried, “You can, you definitely can…”

“If there is a next life, I… I will definitely not fail you.” Yan Donghuang’s voice trembled, “This is not to comfort you. It’s true, Yaoguang, I entrust the kingdom to you, the Qingluan Army… no matter what, never do anything to harm the Qingluan Army. With a strong military, foreign enemies will not dare to invade. Once… once…”

“I know, I know everything.” Feng Yaoguang choked and nodded, “I know everything…”

Chapter 68

Yan Donghuang closed her eyes wearily, her mind in a haze, but she felt many things were left unsaid. Actually, there was no need to explain much; Yaoguang understood everything. He had been by her side for so long, knowing what she cared about most and understanding her intention in making him her successor.

There was only one throne, and she had to decide who to give it to, rather than letting them compete, which could lead to mutual destruction.

She admitted her selfishness, knowing Feng Yaoguang’s feelings for her, and she used those feelings to bind him to the throne, continuing the responsibilities she had not completed.

He knew what to do and what not to do. It was a pity about Xie Yunjian’s thoughtfulness; she probably wouldn’t last until he returned…

The suppressed sound of sobbing echoed in her ears, with people calling out for the emperor, but mostly, it was the sound of women crying.

Yan Donghuang’s mind was a bit fuzzy.

Was she already dead?
This crying didn’t seem right.
Why were there so many women?

After her death, the ones who should be crying the most were her seven generals…

“I’m not dead yet. Why are you mourning?” A weak but authoritative voice sounded in her ear, “Donghuang, you stay. Everyone else leaves!”

Yan Donghuang shivered and instinctively looked up.

For a moment, she thought she was dreaming.
What did she see?

Her father, who had been dead for three years, was now leaning against the bed, looking at her with a sickly and haggard appearance but still exuding a strong imperial presence. She thought it was an illusion and turned her head involuntarily, only to see many familiar faces.

The empress dowager closest to her—now still Consort De—stood up and gave her a comforting, motherly smile.

Consort Xian, Consort Gui, and other familiar or unfamiliar concubines had pale, complex expressions of anxiety, fear, and resentment.

The princes all stood up and left.

Yan Donghuang was horrified. Was she dreaming of a palace coup or living in a dream?

“Donghuang.” A gentle voice sounded in her ear, “Father is calling you.”

Yan Donghuang turned to look at the man speaking.

Yan Ming, who had not yet ascended the throne, was the second prince of the current dynasty, titled Prince Jing. At this time, he was only twenty-two years old, looking young and elegant. His expression was so gentle and loving, his eyes clear and bright, without a trace of calculation, as if he truly regarded Yan Donghuang as his sister.

Even knowing his true nature, Yan Donghuang still found his gaze perfect and flawless at this moment.

So, could a person’s disguise really be so perfect?

Yan Donghuang unconsciously clenched her hands, suppressing the deep-seated hatred in her heart. Expressionlessly, she withdrew her gaze, turning to look at her father in the inner hall, then got up and walked towards him.

Yan Ming was stunned. Looking at the somewhat unusual Yan Donghuang, a sense of foreboding suddenly rose in his heart. What was wrong with her?

From the outer hall to the inner hall, a short distance of just over twenty steps, Yan Donghuang’s mind was in turmoil. Her hand at her side was quietly pinching her thigh.

The sharp pain made her realize this was not a dream. She had indeed returned to the past, to the time when Yan Ming had not yet ascended the throne, and her father had not yet passed away.

Today was the day to decide the heir.

At this moment, Yaoguang’s desperate scream echoed in her ears, “Why can’t you defy fate?!”

She thought she couldn’t, but she didn’t expect such a bizarre thing to happen to her… So, was this the heavens hearing Yaoguang’s scream and fulfilling their wish?

“Donghuang.” Emperor Wu Lie, leaning against the bed, saw her strange expression and asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”

Yan Donghuang took a deep breath, walked to the bed, knelt, and looked at her father’s loving and trusting eyes, feeling a surge of guilt and self-blame: “Father…”

“What is it?” Emperor Wu Lie sat up anxiously, “Who bullied you?”

Yan Donghuang lowered her eyes and said sadly, “Seeing you like this makes me sad.”

Emperor Wu Lie sighed in relief, “Bring that stool over here. Let’s have a father-daughter talk.”

Yan Donghuang nodded, got up, moved the stool to the bed, and sat slowly.

“My days are numbered, and I want to talk to you about the issue of succession.” Emperor Wu Lie’s voice was weak, his eyes showing signs of aging and fatigue, “The crown prince is unworthy, having disgraced the royal family, and he is no longer a viable candidate for the throne. Time is running out, and I haven’t had the chance to appoint a new crown prince, and my health is deteriorating… Donghuang, do you have anyone in mind?”

These words pierced her heart sharply and unexpectedly.

Yan Donghuang’s face turned pale. Thinking of the consequences of choosing the wrong person last time, her hatred surged like a tidal wave. She hated herself for being blind and that person for being heartless.

She pressed her lips tightly, silently looking at the emperor, and after a moment, asked, “Who do you think should inherit the throne, Father?”

Emperor Wu Lie frowned, “I’m asking for your opinion.”

Yan Donghuang lowered her eyes, “Do you think a woman is qualified to inherit the throne, Father?”

Emperor Wu Lie was stunned, a strange light flashing in his eyes, “You mean…”

Yan Donghuang knelt, her voice calm but filled with undeniable strength, “I am willing to take on the responsibility.”

Emperor Wu Lie was both happy and worried, “For so many years, I’ve watched you change, regretting countless times that if only you were a man, I wouldn’t have to think twice, the throne would undoubtedly be yours… But you are a woman, and a woman has never had the possibility of inheriting the throne. Donghuang, do you know how much resistance and pressure you will face if I issue this decree?”

Yan Donghuang calmly replied, “I am not afraid.”

Emperor Wu Lie’s voice was concerned: “I will die soon, and no matter how outrageous the decree may seem to others, they can’t do anything to me. But you… you will face a lot of dissatisfaction, opposition, and even loyal ministers will threaten you with their lives…”

“Father, you forget that I have military power.” Yan Donghuang looked at him, her voice steady and calm, “I am not afraid of any means.”