Qingyun Solitary

Prince Jing Xiao Jinghong was given poisoned wine and died quietly in the Zongzheng Temple prison. His crimes were made public: collusion with the Northern Di, privately stockpiling armor and weapons, plotting treason and usurping the throne, and poisoning the Queen Mother. The once-prominent lineage of the Prince Jing's family vanished into thin air. Officials, generals, and imperial merchants implicated were exiled or executed, leaving the court purged.

Xiao Jingche was "respectfully invited" to the Shangyang Palace in the Western Inner Palace for "rest and recuperation," a so-called resting place, but in reality, house arrest. Lu Qinglan didn't kill him completely, retaining his title and allowances as the retired emperor, but completely cutting him off from the outside world. She personally selected steady and reliable palace servants and guards, ensuring that this former emperor would spend the rest of his life trapped in memories and regret.

The cold dragon throne in the Palace of Heavenly Purity is temporarily hanging vacant.

The next day, there will be a meeting.

This was the first grand court meeting since the coup, and the atmosphere was unprecedentedly solemn. Civil and military officials bowed their heads in silence, many anxiously wondering how this empress, now wielding the power of life and death, would approach her reign.

The bells rang and the drums sounded, and all the officials entered the hall in order. However, when they looked up at the highest point, they were all stunned.

Before the dragon throne, a phoenix throne stood. Lu Qinglan wore neither the empress's usual attire nor her court attire, but a dark, embroidered golden phoenix robe. This dignified and majestic attire far exceeded the empress's formality. She sat upright on the phoenix throne, her expression calm, her gaze slowly sweeping over the courtiers. Behind her, on her left, stood Prime Minister Gu Zhao; on her right, the Duke of Zhenguo, Wei Zheng. Further down, Han Mingyuan and other trusted ministers.

There was no emperor, only a queen who ruled from behind the scenes. No, she didn't even rule from behind the scenes, but sat calmly at the center of power.

"Everyone, please stand up." Lu Qinglan spoke, his voice clear and melodious, carrying an unquestionable majesty, echoing in the silent hall.

All the officials stood up, and no one dared to look directly at his sharp edge.

"The case of Prince Jing's treason has been concluded. The ringleader has been executed, and those who coerced him have been convicted." Lu Qinglan's tone was steady, as if he was stating a perfectly normal matter. "However, the country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. Your Majesty has become ill from worry and overwork, and requires a long period of rest. The Crown Prince is young and cannot handle the heavy responsibility."

She paused briefly, giving everyone time to digest the information and observing their reactions. The hall was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.

"From this day forward, I, entrusted by Your Majesty, will temporarily oversee the government from behind the curtain in Daqing Palace. Important military and national affairs will be decided by me, along with Prime Minister Gu, Duke Weiguo, Han Yushi, and other important civil and military officials."

She didn't ask, didn't negotiate, simply declared. She was forceful, yet legal (citing the Emperor's mandate and the Crown Prince's youth). She possessed absolute power (Wei Zheng's border troops, Han Mingyuan's elite forces, and the economic and intelligence networks she secretly controlled). All she needed now was a formality that adhered to proper etiquette and law.

Gu Zhao was the first to step forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, I will obey your command." His expression was complex, yet tinged with relief. Compared to an emperor who might invite a foe into his home, or even condone the murder of his wife, a queen with ruthless tactics but a heart for the country and exceptional ability might be the dynasty's best option in this crisis.

Wei Zheng, Han Mingyuan and other core members followed closely behind, saying in unison: "Your Majesty, we will obey your command!"

With the Prime Minister and the military and censor leaders' statements, the other officials, no matter what they thought in their hearts, could only bow and agree: "Your Majesty, we will obey your command!"

The voices converged into a stream, echoing in this hall that symbolized the highest power, marking the beginning of a new era for the Daliang Dynasty.

After the court session, Lu Qinglan returned to Kunning Palace. She dismissed her attendants and stood alone in the hall. Outside the window, the spring light was bright and beautiful, and all things were reviving.

Fu Yu quietly entered and presented a secret letter: "Your Majesty, the Northern Di Zuoxian King's tribe has sent another envoy to urge the alliance."

Lu Qinglan took the secret letter, without even glancing at it, and placed it over the candlelight. Watching the flickering flames, she said calmly, "Tell Agula that Daliang has eradicated its internal troubles, and the northern border is stable, without the need for external help. Let them fend for themselves. If Zuo Xianwang's people are willing to submit sincerely and come to the court annually, Daliang can open the border markets and allow them to make a living. If they still harbor disloyalty..." She paused, her tone turning cold, "Wei Zheng's border troops wouldn't mind making further contributions."

She no longer needs to make deals with any external forces. Having eradicated the internal threat, she has risen to the pinnacle of power through her own strength. In her own way, she will protect this country and forge her own era.

A few months later, new policies were promulgated one after another.

He investigated the land holdings throughout the country and curbed the annexation of land by powerful individuals; he reformed the tax system to reduce the burden on farmers; he developed water conservancy projects to encourage agriculture and sericulture; he rectified the grain transport system and unblocked trade routes; he established girls' schools in all prefectures to encourage women to study and gain knowledge; he revised the law to severely punish crimes such as drowning baby girls and pawning wives and daughters...

Every policy announcement was met with obstruction and criticism from the old guard. Rumors of "hens crowing at dawn" and "female leaders interfering in government" never ceased. However, Lu Qinglan silenced these voices with swift action and tangible achievements.

She valued talented children from humble backgrounds and recruited talents regardless of their background; she balanced the power in the court, employing experienced and capable ministers like Gu Zhao and also vigorously promoting enterprising officials like Han Mingyuan; she firmly controlled the military power, with loyal generals like Wei Zheng at the border and a new generation of generals gradually replacing her in the capital.

She is no longer the princess or queen who needs to endure, rely on others, and move cautiously under the shadow of her husband. She is the true chess player, overlooking her kingdom and planning her world.

Occasionally, she would hear news from Shangyang Palace in the Western Palace. The former emperor, increasingly depressed, often muttered to himself, sometimes denouncing Prince Jing, sometimes cursing her, and sometimes... mumbling her past life's name with endless regret.

After hearing this, Lu Qinglan simply smiled faintly, her heart calm. The debt of her past life had been repaid with the authority of this life. That man and she had long since become strangers.

One day, she ascended the highest point in the palace—the Lingyan Pavilion. From the balcony, she gazed out across the entire capital, even the fields and mountains beyond. A spring breeze caressed her cheek, stirring the golden phoenix on her dark robe, as if it were about to soar away.

Fu Yu stood quietly behind him.

"Fuyu, look at this vast landscape," Lu Qinglan said softly. "Once, it belonged to the Xiao family, to every man who sat on the throne. But now, part of it belongs to us."

She raised her hand slightly and pointed to the boundless sky and earth.

"This is just the beginning. The road is long and difficult, but in the end... we have taken a step forward."

The sun pierced through the clouds and fell on her, casting a dazzling halo over the black-robed golden phoenix. Her figure appeared incredibly tall and resolute in the light and shadow.

Above the blue sky, you will finally see the rising sun.

(End of Chapter 78)

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