Chapter 45: Chapter 45: No One Can Take Her Empire Away

“King Ning Shan commanded the guilty minister to execute the State Preceptor, intending to sever Your Majesty’s left and right arms, believing that Your Majesty lacked the ability to govern. The flourishing state of Yaan Country was entirely due to the State Preceptor’s planning. Once the State Preceptor is dead, he can seize the throne.”

“Moreover, King Ning Shan originally planned to capture the Eldest Prince alive to coerce Your Majesty into submission.”

“King Ning Shan has never cared about the Eldest Prince. Long ago, even before the foundation of Yaan Country, he had planned to render the Eldest Prince useless.”

…

These people not only revealed Hee Qingshan’s true face but also disclosed the locations where they hid the evidence. It was all in black and white, recorded every time. Before Qiann Yan ascended the throne, Hee Qingshan was not nearly so cautious and left plenty of evidence.

Additionally, the codes used in their correspondence and how to decrypt them were all confessed by the guilty ministers.

Qiann Yan ordered the evidence to be passed to the ministers to view. After they read it, the ministers knelt down, asking her to deal with King Ning Shan.

Seeing this, Hee Qingshan realized that the situation was beyond repair and burst into hysterical laughter: “Yun Qianyan, you are heartless! So many years of affection… all changed for the sake of power.”

Qiann Yan was baffled; wasn’t he the heartless one?

“The heartless one should be you, willing to harm your own flesh and blood,” Qiann Yan said coolly, “Don’t put on airs as if I wronged you. When I went to war, you lingered in the main city, indulging in revelries, yet you dare say I am heartless? You are the one who is unclean.”

“I have fought hard for this kingdom, now guard and govern it, shared with you wealth and prosperity, yet you remain unsatisfied. The heartless one is you, Hee Qingshan.”

The ministers couldn’t help but nod. Yes, Your Majesty works so tirelessly, yet Hee Qingshan understood nothing and still tried to seize the throne. Truly ungrateful and treacherous.

“Considering Hee Qingshan is the biological father of the Eldest Prince and the Princess, and that the grave error has not yet been made, I spare his life and sentence him to the Cold Palace, never to step even half a step outside. As for that maid Ling Shishi, send her in to serve him; their bond seems deep.”

“Yun Qianyan!” Being sent to the Cold Palace is no different from the Concubines; it’s a humiliation.

Hee Qingshan struggled, yet was dragged out forcefully by the Palace Attendants.

“My lords, I have another matter to discuss with you all.”

The ministers smiled wryly; haven’t you made the decision already? Is there still need for discussion? Alas, Your Majesty merely enjoyed the semblance of consulting them.

Every decision made by Her Majesty was planned so perfectly; could they refute it? Within this entire court, half the military generals are her devoted followers, and another portion was recommended by the State Preceptor, all heed her commands.

This tiny faction of literati is shrinking, taking much thought to propose anything, fearing to voice a suggestion that would be mocked as useless.

“Hee Qingshan committed serious offenses, so I plan to change the surname of the Eldest Prince and the Princess. After all, this kingdom was conquered by me; there is no reason for them to bear the surname Hee.”

“We have no objections,” the ministers replied. It wasn’t a major issue, just changing the Prince and Princess’s surname to match Her Majesty’s — it seemed quite appropriate.

If Hee Qingshan hadn’t erred, they might consider it a bit unjust; after all, Hee Qingshan had sacrificed for Yaan Country. But now, such a trivial matter wasn’t even worth mentioning.

The most shocked was Hee Wenqian. He never expected his mother, the Empress, would change his surname.

He was excited, exhilarated, almost feeling as if he would faint from happiness.

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