The crowd listened as if to an ancient tale, a tale of great importance concerning two nations! A woman, favored by the rulers of two countries, yet destined for a tragic end! How lamentable!
"To protect her position, the Queen was extremely strict with her child's education. Fortunately, she didn't kill him, but instead made him the new king. However, all of this fueled the resentment of Grand Chancellor Baili Su! He colluded with outsiders, hoping to protect his own interests and seize the throne of Qingzhao!"
However, the King is truly a man of unparalleled talent. He is skilled in both civil and military affairs, and has strategies for both domestic and foreign affairs. Therefore, in just three years of ruling, he has transformed Qingzhao into a newly rising great power! The King is ambitious and enjoys conquest, hoping to unify the entire continent!
Three years ago, an opportunity arose when the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty clashed with the Western Regions. The King believed this was the perfect opportunity, so he chose his most trusted General Yehe, along with Lord Longyu and others, and also had his respected Grand Chancellor accompany him! Unfortunately, in the end, he fell off his horse and plunged into a deep pool!
Meanwhile, during the battle between the Western Regions and the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, the King of the Western Regions was stabbed and fell into a cliff, while the fourth prince of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, Huangfu Zong, died and was given a water burial according to his last wishes by his good brother, the Prince of Zhenbei!
By a twist of fate, because the twin brothers looked exactly alike, the Grand Chancellor was forced to awaken the fourth prince, Huangfu Zong, who had been brought in by water burial, while the real Tuoba Heyan, alas! He was buried deep in the pool, and had probably become sea foam!
When the Grand Chancellor saw the Fourth Prince awaken, he was extremely surprised, only to learn that it was not Tuoba Heyan. At that time, all of Tuoba Heyan's twenty-four Netherworld Generals and thirty-eight Burning Blade Guards were present. Therefore, if word got out that the person rescued was not Tuoba Heyan, the Grand Chancellor would surely be killed! Thus, the Grand Chancellor used the witchcraft he had learned to brainwash the Fourth Prince, making him forget everything that had happened before, and what he remembered was all of Tuoba Heyan's memories!
The original intention was to control the new king, Tuoba Heyan, but he was more like a wild horse and a lion, so the Grand Chancellor couldn't control him! Therefore, he conceived the idea of rebelling and seizing the throne, leading to everything that followed!
Those around were speechless with shock. This meant that the one sitting on the dragon throne was Tuoba Hexun, not Tuoba Heyan. However, he was still the surviving son of the late King Qingzhao! It wouldn't be unreasonable for him to be king, since the real Tuoba Heyan was already dead!
"Ha ha ha!" The Grand Chancellor laughed loudly. "Ridiculous!"
"As you said, you married the fourth prince of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, and now, the man sitting on the dragon throne is Tuoba Hexun. Does that mean you married the same man twice?" The Grand Chancellor said coldly, his laughter fading.
“Yes, Heaven has decreed that I, Ji Wushang, will only marry one person, and I, Ji Wushang, will remain faithful to that person to the end!” Ji Wushang said coldly.
"That means it's possible that you orchestrated all of this yourself!" the Grand Chancellor exclaimed.
"What evidence do you have? Is it just those few pieces of paper?" At this moment, the Empress Dowager also stood up and said.
"Evidence?" Ji Wushang looked at the Empress Dowager. "This is Qingzhao's writing, which the Empress Dowager should be able to understand. It was recorded by Consort Zhen in Qingzhao's writing. Is there anything wrong with this?"
"Moreover, your palace has a lot of evidence, and of course, witnesses." Ji Wushang clapped his hands, and sure enough, several guards immediately brought in several old palace maids, all of whom had followed the Empress Dowager in committing evil deeds! These women were now dressed as old peasant women…
Empress Dowager Wang was filled with regret and wished she could go back to the past! She shouldn't have been so merciful as to let these old palace maids go and marry; she should have killed them to silence them! But at that time, Consort Zhen was dead, everyone had calmed down, and due to the late king's deep grief and the tense atmosphere, she didn't kill them...
Then another guard brought up the desk. With the Empress Dowager in such a state, what else is there to say?
"If anyone still doesn't believe it, they can request to open the archives and see the secret history of the late king." The secret history records the great achievements or infamous deeds of each emperor. These were all secretly recorded by some historians entrusted by the previous king before his death. These historians were extremely secretive, upright, and only recorded the facts in great detail.
Those around listened in silence. To know even this, how well this woman understood the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty! Such a woman was truly remarkable!
"I wonder if the Grand Chancellor and the Empress Dowager have anything else to say? Wu Shang can answer them one by one!" Ji Wu Shang then looked at them, and then at Tuoba He Yan sitting on the dragon throne.
Tuoba Heyan's eyes were filled with complex emotions. He never expected that after all the twists and turns, what he thought was the root was not the root. It was only here that he found the root.
This is the father I used to call, not the father; the emperor I used to call, not the emperor.
"So what?" The Grand Chancellor had already leaped forward and grabbed Ji Wushang, his fingers digging hard into Ji Wushang's neck!
The people around were shocked!
But Ji Wushang remained very calm!
"Don't come any closer, or I'll kill her!" The Grand Chancellor grabbed Ji Wushang and then backed away.
Tuoba Heyan stood up at this moment. He moved very quickly and arrived at the bottom of the stage in an instant. Those people didn't even see how Tuoba Heyan got down!
Everyone was shocked. Such martial arts skills were so superb that only a god could achieve this!
Ji Wushang looked at Tuoba Heyan and stepped forward, saying, "Release her, and I will spare your body."
"What?" The Grand Chancellor was extremely surprised. "You brat! You want to leave me with a whole corpse? Let me go right now! Otherwise, I'll strangle her!" the Grand Chancellor said fiercely.
Ji Wushang looked at Tuoba Heyan, stepped forward, and stared intently at the Grand Chancellor. "I will count to three: one!"
"two!"
Ji Wushang looked at Tuoba Heyan, his eyes darkening. The silver needle in his hand slid out from under his sleeve, and with a flick of his elbow, the silver needle pierced into the Grand Chancellor's chest!
"Three!" At the same time, Tuoba Heyan's palm strike was already unleashed!
Suddenly, Ji Wushang covered his face and cried out, "Ah!" But the next second he was in a warm embrace!
Ji Wushang was still in shock. He had just dismembered the Grand Chancellor with a single palm strike!
Everyone around knelt down, not daring to say a word!
He, Tuoba Heyan, is too violent and bloodthirsty!
That's how it is...
"Someone, clean this up!" Tuoba Heyan's calm voice floated in the air, and everyone around dared not utter a sound!
He glanced at the ministers below the stage, as well as the Empress Dowager and Consort Ansu on the stage, all of whom were completely pale!
Tuoba Heyan looked down at Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang felt that he had really changed. Since becoming Tuoba Heyan, he had changed a lot, becoming very bloody and violent!
Tuoba Heyan hugged Ji Wushang tightly. "Don't be afraid, it's alright now." That warm tone was the only Nan Xuzong she knew!
Ji Wushang took a deep breath, "I, I..."
"Don't say anything yet." Tuoba Heyan gently patted Ji Wushang's shoulder, then led her to the high seat and sat down with her on the dragon throne.
The palace maids and guards had already cleaned the hall and sprinkled some pollen to remove the bloody smell.
Everything passed quietly for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Before Tuoba Heyan could speak, he said, "Since you all know that I am not the real Tuoba Heyan, then you should make a statement. If you can establish a new king, I can abdicate, but you are not allowed to harm my Wushang." His cold gaze fell on the Queen Mother. Now, that Queen Mother had nothing to do with him. In the past, he had the memories of Tuoba Heyan, so he still respected her.
But now, he is not her son, nor has he ever been kind to her. Moreover, if it weren't for this woman, his mother Zhenrong would not have returned to the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, and there would be no separation from her flesh and blood like this! And now, he doesn't even have a single close relative by his side! He can kill this woman without considering any sentimentality!
Tuoba Heyan was very confident that he could kill everyone in the hall and then take Ji Wushang and fly away!
Ji Wushang looked at Tuoba Heyan, and his gaze toward the Empress Dowager was extremely fierce!
All the ministers below the stage were terrified. Several high-ranking ministers exchanged glances, and finally, they all knelt on the ground, shouting, "Long live the King! Long live the Queen!"
With three loud shouts, all the ministers knelt down below the platform.
To be honest, if the current Tuoba Heyan were a tyrant, he would certainly have implemented his tyrannical rule after the real Tuoba Heyan died three years ago. However, what everyone saw was that the people lived in peace and prosperity, the territory expanded, and the people became increasingly wealthy! This is ability! Facts have proven that these two brothers of the Tuoba family are both capable men!
Tuoba Heyan looked at everyone and waved his hand, "No need for formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The people around slowly stood up.
“Since everyone knows what happened, then,” Tuoba Heyan looked at the Empress Dowager and Consort Ansu. The Empress Dowager’s legs were trembling, but she was the Empress Dowager, and there was no way she would kneel down and beg for mercy.
But when he looked at Tuoba Heyan, his eyes were so fierce!
"Please, Empress Dowager, move to Anyue Palace and peacefully meditate in the palace to pray for the late King and for our Qingzhao!" Tuoba Heyan said solemnly at this moment.
Those around felt that this was merciful enough compared to Tuoba Heyan's ruthless methods.
The Queen Mother was also sweating bullets, but knowing that she was still alive and would retain her title of Queen Mother, she said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Furthermore, from this day forward, the harem shall be abolished, and I shall bestow my utmost favor upon Queen Wushang! As everyone knows, I need not say more; I hereby appoint Tuoba Jun'an as Crown Prince!"
Everyone looked on and then bowed, exclaiming, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Ji Wushang looked at Tuoba Heyan, his eyes filled with emotion.
Was he and she finally going to be together forever? But at that moment, Ji Wushang felt a pang in his heart and frowned, but he quickly regained his composure.
But Tuoba Heyan saw all of this, and immediately waved his hand, "Court adjourned!"
However, Consort Ansu stood there, stunned. "Abolish the harem? Then, then this concubine, this concubine..." She hadn't even carried out what that man had told her to do yet!
But Tuoba Heyan had already taken Ji Wushang away to another place!
Those around Consort Ansu shook their heads at her actions. Throughout history, very few people have abolished the harem, but if the issue of succession can be resolved, abolishing the harem might not be a bad thing. After all, far too many emperors have caused unrest among the people due to their licentious and disorderly conduct! Moreover, it could also resolve the issue of power in the harem.
From this day forward, Qingzhao will be even more virtuous and peaceful. As for the stories praising the deification of Tuoba Heyan and Ji Wushang, and extolling Ji Wushang's merits in eliminating treacherous officials, that's a story for another time.
Tuoba Heyan embraced Ji Wushang and immediately checked her pulse at her wrist. "Wushang, what's wrong?"
"I'm fine." Ji Wushang smiled. "That's good. You're so good to me, so good to Nianlang!"
"It's only right. I owe you all so much. Come, Wushang, let's go back to the palace." Tuoba Heyan looked at Ji Wushang with deep eyes. Ji Wushang smiled and lay comfortably in his arms. Then he carried her back to his Xiuxun Palace.
“I asked Hongfei and Cuiwu to take Nianlang to their courtyard for the time being, because I’m afraid the King of the Western Regions might come suddenly.”
“Yes, that’s good.” Tuoba Heyan nodded.
The two have already entered the Xiu Xun Palace.
"How do you know so much?" Tuoba Heyan turned around and immediately looked at Ji Wushang.
“Three years, three years of searching for your traces. I would look for any record of the ability to bring the dead back to life. So, unintentionally, I learned a lot of things. And after coming to Qingzhao, I also really enjoyed reading all the books here.”
What she said made sense, but without investigation, she definitely wouldn't have known so much detail. It seems Hongfei and Cuiwu have indeed become Ji Wushang's valuable assistants!
Ji Wushang looked at him, and seeing that he was no longer speaking, she cautiously asked, "If you dismiss the harem, will you let those women go back?"
"Of course, I'll also give you some travel expenses, how about that? If you think it would be better to kill him, I'll secretly have someone take care of it."
"No, let them go."
"Wu Shang, are you tired of this place?" Tuoba Heyan looked at her.
She was afraid of what had just happened in the main hall. She was also a little scared. If she hadn't been so clever, if she hadn't been so skilled in martial arts, she would have been the one who got hurt. She wouldn't have been able to protect her. And they would have to face an even stronger enemy, Yiyun Shangcheng!
"Wherever you go, I'll go," Ji Wushang said. "What you like, I like; what you don't like, I'll follow you and not like."
“Wu Shang…” Tuoba Heyan held her tightly.
Ji Wushang looked at him, her gaze fixed, "Now, what should I call you by name?"
“Cong,” Tuoba Heyan said, “I will always be your Nanxu Cong.”
"Cong!" Ji Wushang held back her tears and immediately hugged his neck.
If you really only have three days left, what will you do with them?
If so, what about two days?
Ji Wushang stared at the man having lunch in front of her for a very long time.
Tuoba Heyan looked at her, then looked up and asked, "Would you like to sit here?"
"No... sigh!" Before Ji Wushang could finish speaking, Tuoba Heyan had already pulled her into his arms and made her sit on his lap. "It seems that it was a wise move not to let Nianlang dine here. I really don't dare to openly hug you in front of him!" Tuoba Heyan smiled.
Ji Wushang gently nudged his chest with his elbow, "You're such a smooth talker!"
"Here, have a bite." Tuoba Heyan carefully picked up a piece of meat, placed it in front of Ji Wushang, and said.
Ji Wushang opened his mouth and then carefully took a bite.
I wish I could stay here forever, to freeze this moment in time forever! Ji Wushang looked at him, scrutinizing him closely, as if trying to imprint everything about him into her heart.
Ji Wushang was lost in thought, and Tuoba Heyan frowned. "You have something on your mind, and I also have some questions I want to ask you, but let's talk about it after we finish our meal."