The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 69

“I didn’t expect this person, who seems so simple, to have such insight. I truly underestimated her before.” Xiao Qin-ya stood up. “Let’s end it here for today. I have some other matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you any longer.”

With that, she left the hall under Xiao Yu’s watchful eye.

After the person had gone far, Xiao Yu blinked, taking a long time to come back to her senses. Was she let off the hook so easily?

This Grand Princess was truly strange. Did she come all this way just to say a few disjointed words?

Never mind. She decided not to think about it anymore. One thing was certain: the princess would probably not cause her any more trouble. That was a good thing.

It was the sweltering heat of June. Two days later, good news came from outside the city. General Li had arrived with the Imperial Guards. The two armies were in a standoff, and the rebel army’s morale was low due to the intense heat. This temporarily eased the panic of the city’s residents.

Xiao Yu went to the courtyard, holding a paper umbrella, and sat by the lotus pond to fish.

The lotus leaves unfolded one by one. A gentle breeze brought a wave of lotus fragrance. The fish were hiding under the leaves, occasionally poking their heads out. As soon as the bait was cast, it was snatched up by a swarm of fish. But perhaps the fish in the lotus pond were too smart; every time Xiao Yu lifted her rod, the fish had already hidden back under the leaves.

After half an hour, Xiao Yu sighed at the lotus pond. The fish in the prime minister’s manor must have become spirits; she hadn’t caught a single one all morning.

At that moment, a group of people approached from a distance, crowding around a woman in magnificent palace attire. Xiao Yu frowned, then stood up.

The woman had an elegant and noble demeanor, exuding an inherent air of authority. As she drew closer, Xiao Yu hastily bowed. “Commoner greets the Grand Princess.”

Xiao Qin-ya gave a faint “mm,” then bent down to help her up.

Behind her stood a crowd of officials, including her father-in-law and her three elder brothers-in-law. Xiao Yu’s heart was filled with surprise.

Why had they all come here?

“Come with me to the palace,” Xiao Qin-ya said.

“To the palace?”

Xiao Yu’s heart jumped, and for a long time, she couldn’t process the meaning of the words. Yet, she didn’t dare to show it. She had to remain calm in this situation.

She subtly sized up the woman before her, a series of questions swirling in her mind. Why did this woman want her to go to the palace? What was the purpose of the trip? And why were so many people here to escort her?

Had something big happened?

Was it related to her?

In just a few moments, Xiao Yu’s mind was churning with a storm of thoughts.

Noticing the subtle changes in her expression, Xiao Qin-ya raised her brows slightly, her tone containing an undeniable authority. “What, you are unwilling?”

Xiao Yu swallowed hard. She glanced at Song Yun-zhou and saw his serious expression. Although she didn’t know what had happened, her father-in-law’s family wouldn’t harm her. Besides, could she even resist in this situation?

Behind the officials were two neat rows of soldiers in armor, holding long spears. She reined in her emotions, suppressed her panic, and nodded.

Seeing her nervousness, Xiao Qin-ya took her hand. The officials parted, making a path for them.

“Let’s go,” she said, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

“Mm.”

Xiao Yu took a deep breath and started walking. Her peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of Song Luo-ning, who had come over upon hearing the commotion. Xiao Yu’s steps faltered. She clearly saw the worry in the First Miss’s eyes, and her heart clenched fiercely. “Can I say goodbye to my wife?”

“Prime Minister Song will explain everything. Let’s go,” Xiao Qin-ya said, giving Song Luo-ning a fleeting glance. The woman was as serene as a chrysanthemum, truly worthy of being the old fox’s daughter. She could remain so calm at a time like this, which was far more interesting than the person standing right in front of her.

Wait!

Such a wise woman, coupled with the Song family’s control over the government—for a moment, she had a fleeting thought. Throughout history, there had been many cases of powerful relatives meddling in politics. Was the decision she was making truly correct?

If the Song family remained as loyal as they were now, all would be well. But what if they one day harbored rebellious intentions? Thinking of this, Xiao Qin-ya felt a wave of fear, but the arrow had been released; there was no turning back. Everything seemed to be pushed along by an unseen hand.

Xiao Qin-ya regretted her rashness for the first time. The hand hidden in her wide sleeve tightened. She led Xiao Yu out of the manor and into the carriage. The officials followed, and the two rode in silence the entire way.

Xiao Yu’s heart was filled with unease until the carriage entered through the Xuande Gate, passed through the Daqing Gate, and stopped in front of the Zichen Hall.

Getting out of the carriage, “Let’s go,” Xiao Qin-ya said, taking her hand. In front of the hall, lifelike white dragons were coiled on the white marble, creating a magnificent sight. On both sides, palace attendants knelt in neat rows.

What was happening?

Xiao Yu’s gaze swept over the attendants. Her heart was both anxious and surprised. She allowed Xiao Qin-ya to lead her into the Zichen Hall.

“In a moment, whatever I tell you to say, you say it,” Xiao Qin-ya instructed.

“Hmm?” Xiao Yu turned to look at her, a hint of confusion in her eyes. The two of them ascended the steps, and there was the Dragon Throne.

“Sit on it,” Xiao Qin-ya said sternly.

?!

Sit on it?

Xiao Yu’s heart jolted. She looked at the Dragon Throne, then at Xiao Qin-ya, finally understanding everything. They wanted her to be the emperor. A tempest raged in her mind, but she dared not show it on her face. Trembling, she sat down on the Dragon Throne.

A palace maid brought up an imperial robe. Xiao Yu stood still and let them put it on her. Then, the ceremonial officer held up an imperial decree and read it aloud in a sharp voice that echoed through the hall. “By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: During my reign, I have been lacking in virtue and am ashamed before the people. The royal descendant Xiao Yu is generous, benevolent, and exceptionally intelligent. I am confident he can inherit the great lineage and protect the country of Baisheng. Effective immediately, I abdicate my throne to be succeeded by Xiao Yu…”

The civil and military officials all bowed down.

Xiao Yu swallowed hard, feeling a little dazed. Then she heard Xiao Qin-ya whisper, “All ministers, rise.”

Xiao Yu steadied herself and repeated the words.

The civil and military officials stood up, forming two neat rows.

Next, the ceremonial officer read the ancestral rules of Baisheng. Throughout the entire process, Xiao Yu felt dazed and confused, being guided by Xiao Qin-ya the whole time.

After the reading, the officials bowed to the emperor and then retreated.

Xiao Yu finally came to her senses and looked at Xiao Qin-ya. “Am I the emperor now?”

Xiao Qin-ya was stunned, and then the corner of her mouth twitched. She had always thought this person wasn’t very clever. Wasn’t it obvious?

“You could say so. Historically, an emperor must go through the Heaven Worship Ceremony to complete the ascension rites. Your situation is special. If you wish, we can hold an ascension ceremony for you after the Prince Chang rebellion is resolved.”

Xiao Yu blinked, still wondering why they had chosen her to be the emperor. She glanced at Xiao Qin-ya but ultimately didn’t ask. She shook her head. Forget it; all these ancient rituals were too exhausting.

Now that she was inexplicably the emperor, what about the First Miss? She asked, “My wife…”

Xiao Qin-ya corrected her seriously. “According to the rituals, Your Majesty should now refer to yourself as ‘Zhen’ [I, the Emperor]. Otherwise, you will be a laughingstock.”

Xiao Yu pursed her lips. Indeed, ancient rules were many.

Wait, she was the emperor now. Then, the male lead’s rebellion would be against her!

Xiao Yu’s heart skipped a beat, and she was on the verge of tears. The original novel never said the original protagonist was the emperor! What kind of a ridiculous plot was this?

She suppressed her emotions and couldn’t help but ask, “Are the rebels still outside the city?”

“Of course. The matters that follow will depend on Your Majesty,” Xiao Qin-ya said with satisfaction.

This seemingly simple person, unexpectedly, cared about state affairs as her first order of business after succession. She wasn’t completely useless.

Xiao Yu nodded. Indeed, she had to rely on herself to survive. She deliberated, “I… no… Zhen will issue an imperial decree now.”

Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Xiao Qin-ya didn’t linger. After saying a few more words, she excused herself and left.

With the new emperor’s ascension, there were many things she needed to handle. The rebels were also a pressing threat outside the city. With the decree, it was time to deal with those people.

As soon as Xiao Qin-ya left, Xiao Yu summoned the palace attendants to thoroughly clean the Fu-ning Palace from top to bottom.

Just the thought that Xiao Cheng-an had lived there made her feel disgusted.

After doing this, she sent someone out of the palace to bring Song Luo-ning in.

Support