Chapter 111

When the nation was in mourning and on the day of the late emperor’s funeral, the temples in the capital struck their bells thirty thousand times, echoing throughout the city and its suburbs. The news of mourning spread across all the states and counties, causing everyone to grieve. The common people knelt in pain and bowed to show their reverence.

With the emperor’s passing, joy and entertainment were banned among the people for three months. White lanterns with the word “mourning” written on them were hung all over Changle Town, giving it a somewhat eerie appearance from afar.

Although affairs of the royal family were rarely discussed among the common people, the sudden cause of the late emperor’s death quietly spread in Changle Town.

“I heard that the crown prince murdered the emperor while serving him medicine, nearly seizing the throne, but it was the fifth prince, King Jing, who led the troops to suppress it,” someone said.

“I also heard that. My cousin’s daughter’s girl is in the palace, and she said the crown prince was captured, and all his concubines committed suicide,” another person chimed in.

“The royal family is truly heartless. Even though he was the crown prince and would have had the throne eventually, he risked his life for it?”

“Hush, don’t speak of the royal family. Wealthy families fight over inheritance, too. Everyone wants that position. I think the crown prince was just impatient!”

“Ah, you must have nine lives to dare discuss the royal family’s affairs,” someone warned, and the two fell silent.

After a while, someone whispered, “Who will be the new emperor?”

“Who cares? Whoever becomes the emperor, it’s the same for us common folk. As long as we have enough to eat and wear, it’s enough.”

“True, true.”

Wang Yuan’er sipped her tea, feeling a mix of emotions. She couldn’t believe that the late emperor was indeed killed by his own son, just like in her previous life. Would King Jing ascend the throne again?

“Wang girl, here’s the payment. Please count it,” Manager Yu handed a money bag to Wang Yuan’er.

Wang Yuan’er quickly stood up, took it, and thanked him. After several deliveries, she was quite familiar with Manager Yu.

Manager Yu took a few steps closer and lowered his voice, “Wang girl, the struggle up there is fierce, and nothing is settled yet. The curfew will definitely be strict these days. Avoid going out unless necessary, especially at night.” As he spoke, he pointed to the sky.

Wang Yuan’er, being no fool, understood his implication about the intense fight for the throne.

When gods fight, mortals suffer. It’s wise to stay alert.

With these words, Wang Yuan’er bowed deeply to Manager Yu and went back to warn and restrain her sisters. Naturally, she also sent a message to her grandparents, letting them manage the second house’s people.

Sure enough, before nightfall, Changle Town was under curfew, and the number of patrolling officers increased. Late at night, Wang Yuan’er even heard the urgent sound of horse hooves.

The curfew days brought a sense of foreboding to Changle Town. People were on edge, and rumors spread like wildfire, with reports of massacres and exterminations of wealthy families and accusations of spies among concubines. The tension grew ever higher.

This lasted until the second day of June when the curfew was lifted in Changle Town, and it returned to its usual lively and prosperous state. News came that the fifth prince, King Jing, had won the people’s hearts with his benevolence and was elevated to the throne by the officials.

On the sixth day of the sixth month of the thirtieth year of Jianhe, the new emperor ascended to the throne, revered by all. He granted amnesty to the whole nation, honoring the late emperor with the posthumous title of Emperor De Gong.

With the new emperor’s ascension, the officials decided to change the Jianhe era to the Jingping era, with the next year being the first year of Jingping. The new emperor is now Emperor Jing, and with the dynastic transition, the national situation has stabilized.

Chapter 112

For ordinary people, it doesn’t matter who becomes the emperor; life goes on as long as they live peacefully and prosperously. Wang Yuan’er thought the same, so when the new emperor ascended the throne, she continued to live her life as usual.

The new emperor ascended the throne, honored the late emperor as Emperor De Gong, and granted the nation amnesty. However, the new emperor’s first decree was not what Wang Yuan’er had expected—to open the imperial examination and recruit talented individuals for the Northern Dynasty. Instead, he initiated the martial arts examination.

When this decree was issued to all the states and counties, Wang Yuan’er was stunned. How could this happen? Wasn’t he supposed to open the imperial examination?

She suddenly remembered that the current emperor had joined the military at thirteen and had been rolling and crawling in the army for so many years. His emphasis on civil and military affairs was evident, and it was only natural for him to hold the martial arts examination. But why was it different? Had something changed?

No matter how much Wang Yuan’er thought about it, she couldn’t change it and could only go with the flow. Regarding this martial arts examination, many martial artists saw it as a good opportunity and were eager to try it. After all, it was also a chance to bring honor to their families.

For a time, many martial artists flocked to the capital, and even a few young men from Changle Town secretly signed up, thinking that even if they couldn’t pass the examination, they might be noticed by important figures and get some position in the army.

The cancellation of the imperial examination overturned all of Wang Yuan’er’s previous plans, and she was troubled. However, Wang Chun’er suggested that many people were coming to Changle Town to seek jobs and couldn’t afford to build houses, so renting to them was also an option.

Wang Yuan’er was relieved by this reminder and thought it was a good idea.

The Zhao family’s house had already been repaired. To make it perfect, Wang Yuan’er spent three taels of silver and repaired it inside and out, making it neat and clean. Now, the Zhao family’s house was no longer about to collapse but had become an exquisite farmhouse.

That day, Wang Qing’er took Wang Lan’er to clean and tidy up the Zhao family’s house while Wang Yuan’er went to the general store to buy some items to rent at a higher price.

Before she could move everything to the Zhao family’s house, someone came running and stumbling, calling her, “Sister Yuan’er, go to the Zhao family’s house quickly. That, Goudan’s aunt is leading a whole family and fighting with your Qing’er and Lan’er.”

Wang Yuan’er’s face changed, and she ran, throwing everything aside. After taking a few steps, she urgently called Aunt Zheng, “Auntie, please go to my house and call my grandma and others over.”

“Yes, yes, you go ahead.” Aunt Zheng responded quickly.

Wang Yuan’er ran all the way, thinking about who this Goudan’s aunt was and where she came from. Wasn’t Goudan without relatives? Where did this aunt come from?

As she wondered about this person, she was also worried that Wang Qing’er and the others might suffer a loss.

Qing’er only took Lan’er to clean up the Zhao family’s house today. Both were girls, and if they really started fighting, they would undoubtedly suffer greatly.

Thinking this way, Wang Yuan’er was anxious and wished she had wings to fly over. In her haste, she accidentally ran into someone.

“Ouch, you almost killed me! Can’t you see? Are you in a hurry to reincarnate?” Someone stumbled and cursed unceremoniously.

“Sorry, sorry.” Wang Yuan’er didn’t even look up, apologized twice, and tried to run.

“Hey, hey, you want to run after hitting someone?” The person grabbed Wang Yuan’er’s sleeve.

Wang Yuan’er lost her balance and fell to the ground. Looking up, she saw a young man in plain clothes.

The young man looked at her, slightly focused, and pointed his finger, “Hey, aren’t you that…” the girl who sells eggs?

Before he could finish his sentence, Wang Yuan’er scrambled up and ran forward, moving swiftly as if a ghost were chasing her.

The young man watched and muttered, “What’s going on? Is she really in a hurry to reincarnate? Anyway, I’ve got nothing to do; let’s go take a look.”