Chapter 367: New Emperor Ascends, Governing Behind the Curtain

Outside Yangxin Hall, the civil and military officials knelt in full.

Inside, Chu Yunzheng lay limp on the dragon couch, his body pierced with silver needles, unable to speak, his eyes bloodshot with anger, staring fiercely at Wan Tang.

Wan Tang, holding a bright yellow silk scroll, walked calmly to the couch and said, "Emperor, the nation now faces a crisis and the people's hearts are unsettled; to stabilize the realm we must immediately appoint an heir. Please seal it with your seal."

Chu Yunzheng struggled to rise, raising his hand to strike her.

Wan Tang deftly dodged.

He overexerted, crashing heavily from the dragon couch to the ground, writhing like a dog.

From her elevated position, Wan Tang looked at his disheveled state and said, "Whether the Emperor agrees or not is irrelevant. I, your humble servant, am here today not to seek your opinion."

She said, then seized Chu Yunzheng's hand, forced his fingers apart, stained them with cinnabar, and pressed his hand firmly onto the pre‑written edict establishing the heir.

Chu Yunzheng's expression was angry, his face twisted, yet it was still of no use.

Wan Tang did not stop moving and handed the edict to Xiao Dongzi.

Xiao Dongzi bowed to receive it, his face full of astonishment.

He still faced the kneeling officials outside the hall and unfolded the edict:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: San Huangzi is gifted, benevolent and filial, suitable to inherit the great governance… appointed as Crown Prince…"

When the edict finished being read, the officials outside the hall erupted in uniform cheers:

"Emperor, your wisdom! We congratulate His Highness the Crown Prince! May Our Emperor live ten thousand ten thousand ten ten thousand years! May the Crown Prince live a thousand thousand thousand years!"

The wave of cheers pierced the hall doors, entered Yangxin Hall, drowning the desperate howl.

Xiao Dongzi folded the Imperial Decree, his gaze at Wan Tang a little evasive.

He had once, in order to be before the Emperor, spoken flattering words for Wan Tang and reaped many benefits.

Now, looking at Wan Tang, he felt a sudden dread, frightened. Even this woman, even Chu Yunzheng, can only lose.

With a single glance, Wan Tang saw the concern in Xiao Dongzi's eyes.

Wan Tang did not expose him, and softly said, "Grandfather, you have served the Emperor for many years, haven't you?"

"Your Highness, Nubi knows nothing, Nubi cannot say anything." Xiao Dongzi knelt, thump thump, trembling like a winnowing basket.

Wan Tang let out a light laugh, then coldly said, "Grandfather, I am only thinking that the young Crown Prince always needs an elder to look after him."

She sighed at this point, shook her head, and said, "Unfortunately, Grandfather is now the chief eunuch, tasked with serving the Emperor directly."

"Let me think again and see if there is a more suitable candidate!"

Xiao Dongzi froze in place, staring at the now radiant Wan Tang, then turned back to glance at the disheveled Chu Yunzheng.

Now in Fengqi Kingdom, the First Prince is hopelessly stupid, the Second Prince is cowardly as a mouse, only San Huangzi is the heir candidate.

How the future should be bright is something one can think of even with one's toes.

Wan Tang, holding the Imperial Decree, walked away at a leisurely pace.

Xiao Shunzi took a step slower, whispered beside him, "We have been brothers for years; I can only say one thing—let's see how luck turns out!"

"You say the Emperor's illness, can it recover?"

"If it continues like this…"

Xiao Shunzi did not speak further, his face showing worry, and shook his head again.

The next day, the funeral bells rang, announcing the Emperor's death and the nation's mourning.

In the mourning hall, Wan Tang, dressed in plain white, wore a sorrowful expression that moved the heart.

Xiao Shunzi quietly approached, whispering, "Your Highness, Ouyang Qing has been found; he indeed contacted a group of former court officials and some regional princes."

"Should we send people to kill?"

Wan Tang replied, "No need to block him; let him in. Let him investigate properly."

"The Emperor's death cannot remain unclear. Our New Emperor can only ascend in accordance with Heaven's will."

Xiao Shunzi stepped back as instructed and began making arrangements.

Another day passed.

Ouyang Qing stormed into the mourning hall with men, shouting in grief and anger, "Witch Queen, you plotted against the Late Emperor, usurped the throne!"

"Today I will avenge the Emperor!"

"The armies of the various lords are already outside The City; they will strangle you, poisonous woman!"

Wan Tang lifted her head, her voice both sorrowful and indignant, "General Ouyang, I have always devoted myself to treating the Late Emperor; heaven and earth can bear witness."

"Now the Late Emperor is a celestial guest, and I too am heart‑broken."

"If you claim I plotted, then summon the various clan princes before the Late Emperor's spirit tablet and investigate thoroughly!"

"Restore my innocence!"

Her words were earnest, her posture exceedingly low.

Ouyang Qing and the summoned princes immediately ordered a thorough investigation.

However, after searching, all evidence inexplicably pointed to the chief eunuch Xiao Dongzi.

The evidence showed that Xiao Dongzi had tampered with the Late Emperor's medicine.

Xiao Dongzi only wanted to act quickly to care for the Crown Prince.

He was slain on the spot by the enraged Ouyang Qing.

The princes, seeing the truth emerge, looked at each other in silence, with nothing left to say.

A nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day.

With Wan Tang and the senior ministers' support, the young Crown Prince immediately ascended the throne, becoming the New Emperor.

After the New Emperor's enthronement, he issued two Imperial Decrees:

The first decree ennobled his biological mother Wan Tang as the Benevolent Holy Empress Dowager, with a rank equal to a vice‑emperor, to rule behind the curtain and oversee the court.

The second decree posthumously honored his birth mother Hui Guifei as the Dignified Empress Dowager, to highlight her virtue.

The plain white of the mourning hall has not yet been taken down, Wan Tang is already seated upright behind the pearl curtains.

Ouyang Qing personally confirmed Wan Tang's innocence, yet there was no power to turn things around. On the day the New Emperor ascended the throne, he slit his own throat in the mausoleum garden.

Spring passes, autumn arrives; five years of time flash by.

In the Imperial Study, the young Emperor sits at the desk reviewing memorials, his focused profile strikingly resembles Xiao Chuan in his childhood.

And the calm, decisive composure beyond his years in handling state affairs seems like the spirit of Hui Guifei reborn.

Wan Tang just set down her brush and carefully wrote the exquisite, unparalleled governance strategies that sprang from the barrage in her mind.

Xiao Shunzi stepped lightly and entered.

"Empress Dowager, Second Master Qi has sent someone with a gift."

Wan Tang took the plain wine jar, broke the clay seal, and a burst of fresh, mellow peach blossom fragrance instantly wafted out.

The flavor is exactly the same as the one she shared with that person.

Her fingers gripping the jar tightened slightly, and her eyes involuntarily flushed with a faint redness.

At that moment, a hearty laugh echoed from outside the hall.

Minghui, clad in a crisp riding-and-archery outfit, full of vigor, said:

"Your Imperial Highness's younger brother, you should diligently learn the art of governance from mother! In the future, any short‑sighted nation that dares to act up, sister will lead troops to strike them! They'll be rolled over and pee!"

The young Emperor lifted his still tender face, yet his gaze already bore a hint of dignity.

He wrinkled his nose, with a hint of displeasure and a responsibility beyond his years, and said, "I will, in the future, be like the First Emperor, unify script, standardize wheels, and make the four seas submit!"

"As for sister..." he paused, his tone serious, "Sister is a woman; fighting and killing would mar her beauty. As your younger brother, I will work diligently and protect your lifelong honor."

Wan Tang watched the brother and sister before her, listened to their hopeful laughter, and inhaled the lingering familiar wine fragrance, feeling a swirl of emotions. This realm, this future, has ultimately been placed in their hands.

"Master." Xiao Shunzi, waiting nearby, said with concern, "Tonight is Qiu Ju's grand wedding, Nubi, Nubi wishes to go see."

Xiao Shunzi, now a chief eunuch, finds moving in and out of the Imperial Palace especially convenient, yet still asks.

Wan Tang, in a daze, gave a bitter smile, "Qiu Ju's grand wedding?"

For some reason, Wan Tang's once cold heart suddenly throbbed with pain.

She couldn't help recalling Su Yanci, who had left without a word, and Qiu Ju, who departed on the same day.

She smiled bitterly, said lightly, "Speaking of it, Qiu Ju was also my lifesaver."

"Her grand wedding, naturally I must also prepare something."

Wan Tang, one hand on her forehead, said bitterly, "Using my sister's dowry, prepare a portion to send."

After a slight hesitation, Wan Tang said weakly, "Fine, I'll go myself!"

Night fell.

The newly built courtyard in the Capital is especially grand.

Wan Tang then dressed for travel, a small carriage, with a long procession of dozens of people behind her bearing gifts.

Approaching the main gate, Wan Tang looked up, seeing only the plaque bearing the four characters: "Clear Breeze Freedom".

She forced a strained smile, her mood indescribable.

Qiu Niang, upon hearing Wan Tang's arrival, quickly ran out and knelt before her.

Her already delicate face, after careful dressing, became even more radiant and charming.

Wan Tang bitterly smiled, "The appointed time has arrived, why hasn't the wedding begun?"

"If the lady hasn't arrived, how can it start?" a hearty laugh echoed from within, "After all, the moment the lady arrives is the most auspicious time."