When Leng Yue opened her eyes again, she stared blankly at the bright yellow curtains. This time, she had become a little emperor, a woman disguised as a man. Looking at her chubby little hands, Leng Yue's face was full of worry.

What to do? A woman disguised as a man! A puppet emperor! The pressure is immense!

The young Emperor Zhao Dai is only nine years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning), but he has already been on the throne for more than three years. However, as mentioned above, he is merely a puppet emperor. The main power lies with Zhao Dai's mother, Empress Dowager Feng, his uncle Zhao Liang, and the regent Ye Rufeng.

These three parties formed a tripartite balance of power, and Zhao Dai struggled to survive amidst these three forces.

The Zhao dynasty, originally named Qi, had existed for over two hundred years. Now, in the Zhao dynasty, its power had begun to decline. Externally, neighboring states on all sides were eyeing it covetously, waiting for an opportunity to gradually erode and devour the Zhao dynasty. Internally, the government was in chaos, with both the regent and the emperor's uncle plotting to seize power.

The Great Qi Dynasty was beset by internal and external troubles, its fate hanging by a thread. The young Emperor Zhao Dai was in even greater fear, barely surviving to the age of nine. Assassination attempts like last night's were countless for Zhao Dai.

In Zhao Dai's memory, her survival to this day was inseparable from the protection of two people: her personal maid, Qingluan, and her bodyguard, Zhan Wudi. Without these two, Zhao Dai could have died eight hundred times over. However, even so, Zhao Dai still lived in constant fear every day.

Zhao Dai wasn't a boy, and she had no desire to be an emperor. Zhao Dai only wanted to leave the palace, find a place where no one knew her, and live out her life peacefully. But now that Zhao Dai was already in the game, how could she easily withdraw?

Leng Yue couldn't help but sigh again. What had Zhao Dai done to deserve this? Her mother, Empress Dowager Feng, had concealed her true gender to secure a position in the harem. When her short-lived father died, she became the sole legitimate heir. Naturally, the throne fell to her. Before she was even six years old, she became the ruler of the country, and equally, the target of everyone's hatred.

The Zhao dynasty's rule was far from easy. There was the aging imperial uncle, ministers plotting rebellion, and Zhao Dai's need to conceal her true identity as a woman. Not only did she have to contend with various hypocritical faces, but she also faced assassination attempts from all sides. Zhao Dai suffered terribly every day.

Now, Zhao Dai has become Leng Yue, or rather, Leng Yue has become Zhao Dai. Leng Yue felt exhausted just thinking about it; she really couldn't handle this kind of task! But what could she do? She was now the NPC, and without her, the task probably wouldn't even begin. Leng Yue knew she couldn't avoid it this time.

Just then, the eunuch Xiao Li outside started calling Leng Yue in a high-pitched voice to wake her up, "Your Majesty, it's time for the morning court session! Are you up yet?"

Leng Yue sighed, "Come in and help me change."

At this moment, Qingluan opened the tent and helped Lengyue put on her clothes. The rest of the people prepared the washing utensils in an orderly manner.

Being helped with dressing and washing felt quite nice. All Leng Yue had to do was extend and lower her arms. Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, dressed in a dragon robe, Leng Yue was momentarily stunned.

Leng Yue flicked his sleeves, marveling at his luck—to think he could one day become emperor! It was truly unbelievable!

After getting ready, Leng Yue was practically forced by everyone to go to the Golden Palace and sit on the glittering dragon throne. She plopped down on it, feeling extremely uncomfortable. She couldn't help but shift from side to side, constantly changing her position.

Leng Yue's movements attracted the attention of the ministers below and the Empress Dowager behind the beaded curtain.

"Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?" Empress Dowager Feng asked in a calm tone, but Leng Yue could still detect the displeasure in her voice.

Leng Yue quickly sat up straight. "Reporting to Your Majesty, I am not feeling unwell."

"In that case, let's begin," Empress Dowager Feng said calmly, without asking Leng Yue's opinion at all.

Similarly, the eunuch Xiao Li, who was beside Leng Yue, didn't even glance at her. Upon hearing Empress Dowager Feng's words, he shouted to the ministers below, "Speak if you have something to say, otherwise the court is adjourned!"

At this point, the ministers began their daily verbal sparring.

Vice Minister Zhu of the Ministry of War said, "Your Majesty, the Turks in the north have been particularly rampant lately. I believe we should send troops to suppress them. Otherwise, the Turkic tribes will surely think we are weak and easily bullied!"

Before Leng Yue could speak, Minister Wu of the Ministry of Revenue stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, the national treasury is empty, and it is not suitable to fight the Turks. In addition, the southern region has suffered severe floods this year, resulting in reduced grain production. If we fight, it will only make matters worse! I believe that we can only seek peace at this time.”

Lord Zhu continued, “We seek peace with the Turks every year, giving them money and provisions each time. Isn’t this emboldening them and strengthening their power? Lord Wu mentioned the empty treasury, but let me ask you, if the treasury is empty, how can we give them money to seek peace?”

"You... the money and provisions you ask for in exchange for peace can always be resolved if we find a way, but once war breaks out, that's when money really runs out!" Lord Wu argued logically. "Furthermore, if the provisions can't be supplied, how can the soldiers fight on empty stomachs?"

"Lord Wu, you are mistaken..." Lord Zhu was about to say something when he was interrupted by a voice.

"Alright, you should discuss things with the Regent and the Imperial Uncle first before coming here. Honestly, all this arguing is giving me a headache. Since there's nothing else, you may leave!" Empress Dowager Feng said, then got up and left.

Seeing this, the Regent smiled, exchanged a glance with his uncle, and then turned and left. Leng Yue was left sitting dumbfounded on the dragon throne. From beginning to end, aside from answering Empress Dowager Feng's question at the start, she hadn't uttered a single word. These people, no one had consulted her opinion at the beginning, and the end was so sudden; from start to finish, she was just a decoration, a mascot!

Little Li glanced at Leng Yue, "Your Majesty, court is adjourned..."

Leng Yue glanced at Xiao Li Zi and said, "Shut up!" After saying that, Leng Yue got up and left.

Back in her palace, it was time for breakfast, and Leng Yue happily began to eat. She had gotten up early and had been traveling back and forth for so long, so Leng Yue was quite hungry.

Qingluan tested each poison for her before Lengyue started eating. Although it was just plain porridge, it tasted especially delicious.

There weren't many dishes on the table, but there was a good variety. Each dish was served in a small plate, making it look extremely exquisite. Leng Yue liked it very much and ate with gusto. Qing Luan, who was standing beside him, kept urging Leng Yue, "Your Majesty, please eat slowly, don't choke."

As soon as Qingluan finished speaking, Lengyue choked and coughed incessantly. She had to drink several large gulps of tea before she could finally swallow it. Lengyue looked at Qingluan with a mournful expression, "I... when I'm eating, don't tell me you choked! Look, I choked, didn't I?"

Qingluan quickly knelt down, "This servant deserves to die, Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

Leng Yue almost spat out her water and quickly told Qing Luan to get up. "Alright, I was just saying it casually. Get up now."

Upon hearing Leng Yue's words, Qing Luan said, "Thank you, Your Majesty," and then stood up to serve Leng Yue her meal.

Leng Yue couldn't help but admire Qing Luan; she truly lived up to her reputation as someone from the palace—she was different. "Hey, Qing Luan, how come you've become two..."

"Your Majesty..." Qingluan hugged Lengyue while loudly calling for the imperial physician.

Leng Yue had only one thought: Why did she faint again?