ascended the throne

The journey back south is long and silent.

Tuoba Hong was imprisoned in a reinforced carriage with the windows sealed, leaving only a few gaps for ventilation.

Outside the carriage was the victorious Southern Dynasty army returning to the capital. The sounds of hooves, footsteps, and wheels squeaking over the frozen ground, mixed with the whispers of soldiers who had survived the disaster, poured into his ears continuously.

He thought Ning Lingyi would come to see him soon.

After all, he was the Khan of Beishuo, her mortal enemy who had fought with her for so many years and almost brought down the Southern Dynasty.

Now that he was her prisoner, didn't she want to see his miserable state? Didn't she want to ask him in person if he admitted defeat? Or perhaps... maybe she even harbored some inexplicable feelings towards him, her rival?

He envisioned countless possibilities for this.

How would she appear? Would she be filled with the dignity and compassion of a victor, or would she remain as calm as water, as if he were just a piece on her chessboard that had already been eaten?

How should he respond? Should he maintain the Khan's last remaining dignity and offer sneers? Or should he admit defeat and perhaps even earn some respect?

He even rehearsed the conversation in his mind, going over her questions and his answers over and over again.

However, one day, two days... ten days, half a month.

The army marched south, and no one approached the prison car except the soldiers who delivered meals and cleaned up the filth on time.

Ning Lingyi seemed to have completely forgotten his existence.

This feeling of being completely ignored was more unbearable for him than the humiliation he had expected.

He, Tuoba Hong, traveled across the northern desert and made the countries in the Western Regions tremble in fear. Even if he became a prisoner, he should be an important figure worthy of being treated seriously by the enemy monarch.

But Ning Lingyi was too lazy to even look at him?

An absurd emotion accumulated in his chest.

He was like a lion with its teeth and claws pulled out, trapped in a cage, and the trainer was not even interested in glancing at the cage.

He was unwilling to accept it! Obviously, obviously, he was her fiancé...

The team finally arrived at the capital of the Southern Dynasty.

He was secretly escorted into the city and locked up in a high building.

The building is spacious and the furnishings can even be called elegant. When you open the window, you can see the layers of glazed tile roofs, which are shining in the thin winter sunlight. The sound of bells and drums can be heard in the distance, solemn and dignified.

This is the imperial palace.

He recognized the rules of the building.

But she still didn't come.

The people guarding him were silent and well-behaved, never saying much except for necessary communication. He captured information from the outside world from their occasional fragments of conversation.

Then, he heard the news.

The guards were whispering to each other as they changed shifts, their voices filled with suppressed excitement: "Have you heard? His Majesty is about to ascend the throne!"

"Yes! We've finally waited for this day! We've annihilated the Western Qiang, captured the Khan of Beishuo, and forced Beishuo to cede territory in exchange for peace. Our territory has almost doubled! With such an unprecedented achievement, I should have been crowned the Emperor long ago!"

"The world is at peace now, and I can finally live a peaceful life..."

Tuoba Hong stood by the window, his figure frozen.

Ning Lingyi is about to ascend the throne.

Yes, her reputation is now so high and her achievements are so great that no one can match her since the founding of the Southern Dynasty.

The Western Qiang were now history, and after he was captured and the new Khan sued for peace, Northern Shuo temporarily lost his ability to move south. Years of war had finally subsided, and the people longed for stability. The court needed a powerful symbol to rally their hearts.

She has reached the pinnacle of power. No one can restrain her anymore, and she has no reason to refuse the crown.

He suddenly realized how ridiculous his previous assumptions were.

In Ning Lingyi's eyes, he may no longer be an opponent worthy of attention, but merely a footnote to her glorious achievements, a trophy to highlight her victory.

In the new chapter she was about to begin, he was not even an obstacle worth mentioning.

An unprecedented loneliness swept over him.

Had she actually forgotten him?

*

The first day of the first lunar month is auspicious and suitable for ascending the throne.

Inside and outside the capital, flags were flying and everything looked new. The shadow of war that had lasted for many years seemed to have been swept away, and a vigorous and hopeful atmosphere filled the air.

In front of the Hanyuan Hall, all officials dressed in brand new court robes stood solemnly according to their ranks. Nobles, royal family members, and envoys from various countries all held their breath in concentration.

The bells and drums rang and elegant music played.

Ning Lingyi, wearing a robe with twelve-chapter patterns and a crown with twelve tassels, slowly stepped onto the imperial road and walked towards the supreme throne.

This was her first time, on such a formal occasion, donning the dragon robe that symbolized imperial authority. Its black robe and purple skirt were embroidered with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, and insects, while the skirt also featured embroidered patterns of Zongyi, Zao, Huo, Powder, and Rice. It was solemn, elaborate, and incomparably luxurious.

Her steps were steady, her eyes looking straight ahead, passing through countless gazes, and finally, she sat firmly on the dragon throne that was once stained with her brother's blood and carried countless ambitions.

"Long live our emperor, long live our emperor, long live our emperor!"

The thunderous roar of worship resounded through the sky and shook the beams and pillars of the palace.

From this moment on, she was no longer the Regent Princess Ning Lingyi, but the emperor, the rightful and unique ruler of this vast empire.

The edict said:

"I have received the mandate of Heaven and rule over all the lands. I now establish a new state and a unified dynasty, unifying the empire. There will no longer be any distinctions between the Southern Dynasty, the Northern Shuo, and the Western Qiang. The name of my state is Xin, and the era is Taichu. From the first year of Taichu, I will make a fresh start with the world, rest the people, and decree that all taxes will be reduced by half for three years!"

As soon as the decree came out, all the ministers in the hall looked at each other in surprise and doubt.

Changing the country's name was truly earth-shaking. However, everyone then considered the new emperor's illustrious military achievements: ending a century of conflict, unifying the Southern Dynasty, the Northern Shuo, and the Western Qiang, and creating this vast empire. Such an unprecedented achievement truly required a major overhaul to match it.

When they thought of this, their doubts turned into a surge of emotions, and they all bowed their heads in sincere admiration.

When the news spread outside the palace, the people were jubilant! A three-year tax cut was undoubtedly a great blessing for the people who were struggling under the pressure of war!

"Also, I will hold a special examination in the first year of Taichu to recruit talented people from all over the world. I will personally preside over the selection and lead the way to a prosperous era!"

This decree gave infinite hope to scholars all over the world.

"Reward the ministers and soldiers of the three armies according to their merits, and let the whole world celebrate!"

After a series of measures to reassure people were announced, Ning Lingyi paused slightly.

The atmosphere in the hall was still warm, but some perceptive ministers vaguely felt that the emperor seemed to have something more important to say.

As expected, Ning Lingyi's voice rang out again: "A new dynasty has been established, and the atmosphere is reformed. To show a complete break with the old ways, the titles of the royal family of the previous dynasty will be replaced with the titles of the previous dynasty, and all will be inherited at a lower level."

The hall suddenly became much quieter, and the expressions of many members of the royal family changed slightly.

But that’s not all.

Ning Lingyi continued, "All titles inherited from previous dynasties are hereditary. The son of a prince inherits the title of a county prince, the son of a county prince inherits the title of a duke... and so on. After three generations, the title automatically ends, and the descendants are incorporated into the civilian population, no different from commoners."

"Buzz!"

There was an uncontrollable uproar in the hall!

The hereditary succession is declining and ends after three generations?!

This is simply digging up the roots of the Ning clan!

It completely cuts off their reliance on enjoying wealth and glory for generations!

"For those who have left behind nobles from the previous dynasty and wish to engage in various occupations, such as scholars, farmers, merchants, or artisans, the government can provide convenience and initial support, so that they can support themselves and serve the country."

As Ning Lingyi finished speaking, an old prince with white hair and beard in the royal family line could no longer hold back. He rushed out of the line and pointed at the throne, "Ning Lingyi! You... you have such a cruel heart! You are trying to destroy our Ning clan's ancestral hall! Your father and your brother's bodies are still warm, and you treat your own flesh and blood like this. Aren't you afraid of being cursed by the world and punished by our ancestors?!"

As soon as he took the lead, several other members of the royal family also came out and started to curse emotionally.

"When the bird is dead, the bow is put away; when the rabbit is dead, the dog is cooked! You are destroying the bridge after crossing it!"

"We are the royal family of heaven, how can we be treated the same as the untouchables?!"

"Are you still a Ning family member? You bitch!"

"How could there be someone like you in this world who would sever his own bloodline? You will not die a good death! You will go to hell!"

The coronation ceremony suddenly became chaotic.

Ning Lingyi sat high on the throne, her face unclear behind the crown, and she did not respond at all.

Just when those members of the royal family were cursing the most fiercely and were about to rush up the imperial steps, the guards in full armor and holding weapons came in one after another and took away those members of the royal family who were making the most trouble without any mercy.

During the entire process, Ning Lingyi didn't even raise her eyebrows.

Everyone understood that she did not do it on impulse, but had prepared it in advance.

The first thing the emperor did when he ascended the throne was to set fire to these royal family members who had been parasitic on him for hundreds of years!

Ning Lingyi, actually dared to disown her clan members and destroy her own clan with her own hands?

In the next six months, a storm broke out against all members of the royal family.

The officials acted decisively and imprisoned those members of the royal family who bullied men and women, committed crimes, and had conclusive evidence of their crimes, and confiscated their property.

Those without obvious crimes were strictly subject to demotion and hereditary demotion. All land, shops, and mansions exceeding the quota stipulated by the court were confiscated.

During this period, there were local royal family members who tried to resist, and some even colluded to rise up and "clear the court". However, these sporadic rebellions were like an egg hitting a rock in front of the powerful army of the New Dynasty, and were quickly put down.

Halfway through the first year of Taichu, the royal family of the Southern Dynasty, which had lasted for a hundred years, was completely disintegrated by Ning Lingyi.

From then on, there were tens of thousands fewer termites in the world.

But the decree and the curse followed.

"She's so cruel to her own blood, how can she be so cruel to us?"

Such whispers were circulated privately in official circles and among scholars, with deep fear.

On the top of the tall building, Tuoba Hong listened to the sporadic news brought by the guarding soldiers, and a complex smile appeared on his face.

Ning Lingyi, ah Ning Lingyi, you are really like this.

Be cruel to your enemies and even crueler to your own people.

Your throne was paved with the blood of your loved ones and the heads of countless people.

Now, you are finally sitting firmly.

He looked at the most majestic palace deep in the imperial palace, and a strange sense of peace arose in his heart.

He knew she would not come to see him.

At least, not now.

Before she completely consolidates her power and straightens out the government, the best place for him, a former enemy chief, is to be forgotten in this tall building.

And he finally had time to think carefully about what he had been fighting for in his half-life and what he had gained.