【”Pass the throne to Princess Shunyang…” A single stone stirred a thousand waves. Compared to this Imperial Edict, what did the previous one—announcing Prince Chen’s rebellion, the Crown Prince’s suicide, and Prince De’s assassination—even matter?
According to historical records, a group of stubborn ministers, led by Sheng Mian, were so shocked they nearly lost their minds. They knelt on the ground and begged Emperor Hui to retract his decree.
Of course, there were also those who supported the princess, such as her two maternal grandfathers, and the famous Illustrious Minister of Zhaowen who was not yet prominent and held a low position at this time. But there was also the princess’s teacher, Lu Fengqiu, whom Princess Shunyang had summoned to the palace.
The two factions engaged in a fierce dispute before Emperor Hui’s sickbed.
The person at the center of it all, Princess Shunyang, remained silent—don’t forget, she had a dagger hidden in her sleeve. Killing a few stubborn ministers would not have been difficult.】
The ministers: !
The princess is terrifying!
Princess Shunyang: I would never do something so foolish.
【Of course, that was just a joke. The princess certainly wouldn’t do that. Emperor Hui also remained silent; he was likely too ill to have the strength to argue with them.
In short, you all argue, we’ll listen.
The ministers finally argued until their throats were hoarse. Emperor Hui said, “Objections are invalid. Pass the throne to the princess.”】
Sheng Mian slumped in defeat.
Your Majesty!
Why must it be this way!
Do you know what this means?
It means the cardinal principles of social order will be no more, that yin and yang will be reversed!
【Although this Imperial Edict was met with fierce opposition from conservative ministers led by Sheng Mian, Emperor Hui, who had been hesitant and indecisive his entire life, showed rare firmness in matters of the court. He ordered the edict to be publicly displayed in Luojing and then proclaimed to the entire realm.
Perhaps, in the final moments of his life, Emperor Hui finally understood that as a spent force, the only one by his side was Princess Shunyang—the daughter he had always doted on, the only bloodline he and his first wife had left in this world.
In that case, rather than passing the throne to a distant relative, why not give it to his own daughter?
The sun rose, the palace servants cleaned the blood-stained halls and steps, the emperor’s edict was dispatched to all regions by swift horses, and the Dayin Dynasty welcomed its first female emperor.】
On the Sky Screen, the sun rose.
Zhu Xuanyi let out a long sigh of relief.
So that’s how it happened.
An earth-shattering, unprecedented ascension.
A woman had rightfully ascended the throne to rule the world.
She did not commit patricide; she even saved the emperor from her brother who was rebelling to usurp the throne.
Recalling everything the Sky Screen had said, it was a mix of coincidence and inevitability.
If she had not been decisive and brave, but instead hesitant, she would have missed the perfect opportunity to stop Prince Chen’s rebellion.
If she had not been healthy and strong, but instead a frail willow in the wind, she would not have been able to hide a sword in her sleeve and unexpectedly wound Prince Chen.
If she had not been firm and bold enough, but instead satisfied with small gains, she would have at most become a Regent Princess subservient to others.
If she had not traveled to uphold justice and identify talented individuals, but instead remained confined within the palace walls, vying for her father’s affection, she would not have discovered and promoted talents like Feng Shuo, nor would she have gained the support of people like Lu Fengqiu.
The opportunity was right there, but only Princess Shunyang could seize it and ascend to the heavens in a single step.
Ah, Princess.
Across the lands of Dayin, countless scholars, generals, men, and women sighed with emotion.
I wonder if I will have the honor of becoming one of your Illustrious Ministers of Zhaowen?
【Alright, that’s all for the bloodstained night of the full moon! There are just too many stories from the era of Emperor Zhaowen, I don’t even know who to talk about first.
How about we take a vote? I will prioritize the story with the most votes.
A. Lu Fengqiu: From the Princess’s Teacher to the Empire’s Chancellor
B. Yue Guantang: After Him, All Empresses’ Consorts Were Titled Lord Jingting
C. Meng Wenruo: A Taoist Who Can’t Write Elegies Is Not a Good Minister of Works
D. Cai Tian: I Truly Don’t Even Have the Strength to Truss a Chicken!】
A glowing screen appeared before everyone.
A vote?
Lu Fengqiu and Yue Guantang were understandable. Ever since the Sky Screen appeared, everyone knew that Princess Shunyang would become a monarch who would usher in a golden age. Even village children could say a thing or two about the names and backgrounds of her husband and teacher.
As for Cai Tian, the number one female general of the Zhaowen era who captured a young prince of the Northern Barbarians, everyone already knew about her.
In the Guangji military camp, the commanding general happened to be Qi Xin, whom the Sky Screen had mentioned as an example. He had already discovered the future number one female general in his own army.
Cai Tian had resumed her identity and was currently receiving instruction from General Qi Xin.
General Qi Xin looked at the line on the Sky Screen, “D. Cai Tian: I Truly Don’t Even Have the Strength to Truss a Chicken!” and recalled Cai Tian shattering a water vat with a single punch—an indescribable expression appeared on his face.
After a long silence, he said, “In the future, when you have an audience with Her Majesty, you must not deceive the sovereign.”
Cai Tian: “…”
I never said I don’t have the strength to truss a chicken!
Although it wasn’t stated explicitly, Cai Tian knew that the “Her Majesty” Qi Xin referred to was Princess Shunyang.
While there was no shortage of dissenting voices in the army now, those people only talked. If they were truly asked to risk their lives to oppose the princess, they would be unwilling.
Most soldiers believed that who ascended the throne had little to do with them. Since the Sky Screen said that Princess Shunyang’s ascension would lead to repelling the Northern Barbarians, reclaiming lost territories, and a better life for the common people, then Princess Shunyang was a good choice.
Then, option C…
“Meng Wenruo?”
Princess Shunyang read the name, a little puzzled.
The name could be for a man or a woman.
Writes elegies?
That suggests outstanding literary talent.
A Taoist?
Then Meng Wenruo must be their secular name. I wonder what their Taoist Name is, and which monastery they belong to.
Minister of Works?
That indicates some practical skills—even if they don’t do the work themselves, they at least understand the theory.
Princess Shunyang looked at Lu Fengqiu and asked, “Teacher, have you ever heard of this person?”
“Your Highness, I have not.”
All four were future key ministers.
Lu Fengqiu and Yue Guantang were people she knew. Cai Tian should be found soon enough. But she still knew nothing about Meng Wenruo.
Perhaps she should choose Meng Wenruo?
Princess Shunyang tapped the glowing screen—
And chose option A.
Talking about her teacher would surely involve the future state of the court. Princess Shunyang was more interested in knowing what happened after she took power.
Since Lu Fengqiu would become the chancellor, his story would be more comprehensive.
Unlike Yue Guantang, which would involve the military and his romance with the Empress.
Unlike Cai Tian, which would only involve military affairs. Perhaps it would mention her sister Cai Boxi, but maybe Lu Fengqiu’s story would mention her too?
Unlike Meng Wenruo. Princess Shunyang wasn’t that concerned about what elegies they wrote or how many years they spent as a Taoist. What they did as Minister of Works—that was just one corner of the court, not the full picture.
In summary, Princess Shunyang chose A.
At the same time, in a certain mountain monastery, Daoist Master Qing Shu, whose secular name was Meng Wenruo—
“It’s me, it’s me, it’s me!”
“Ah! This monastery can no longer suppress this damn mortal heart of mine!”
“Attaining immortality is impossible now. This bustling mortal world, the court in Luojing, they can’t do without me!”
“Alright, choose C—A Taoist Who Can’t Write Elegies Is Not a Good Minister of Works!”
After making their choice, Meng Wenruo turned to a young Taoist and said, “From today on, if anyone wants me to write an elegy, the price goes up.”
The young Taoist: “Yes, Martial Uncle.”
Though no one is asking you to write any at the moment.
Yue Guantang chose himself.
Cai Boxi chose Cai Tian.
The people of the Dayin Dynasty all made their choices.