As Shan Zuo finished speaking, everyone in the hall turned their eyes to the little boy standing next to Hua Qingcheng.

After hearing the child's shocking words, the entire Golden Palace fell into an eerie silence for a moment.

However, a moment later, the chattering of the ministers resumed in the Golden Palace.

And Dan Zuo, who had made the shocking statement, still maintained a calm and composed appearance, allowing everyone to look at him.

As everyone knows, Zhaoyang was a patriarchal nation, where women were confined to the home to care for their husbands and raise children, while men could serve in the imperial court. Laifeng, on the other hand, was the exact opposite, a matriarchal nation, where men were confined to the home to do housework while women pursued careers. Not only was the two nations separated by a chasm of marriage prohibiting intermarriage, and even if intermarriage did occur, it was impossible to produce offspring. Furthermore, the values ​​of the people of the two nations diverged significantly.

Therefore, it was impossible to merge the two countries, let alone find a monarch who could stabilize the situation and win the support of the people of both countries...

However, there is one thing Qu Chengde said right, that is, "A country cannot be without a king for a day."

Although the rebellion of Imperial Preceptor Ran Qiyue, which forced the emperor to abdicate, had just been quelled, the entire Zhaoyang state remained in a state of panic and turmoil. If a man of both ability and integrity did not emerge in time to turn the tide, those with ill intentions throughout the country would likely exploit the situation, rapidly fostering ambitions and potentially triggering a chaotic situation of separatist wars.

In just a moment, countless possible scenarios flashed through Mu Lige's mind.

Although Mu Lige left his country at a young age and lived in a foreign land, Zhaoyang was his motherland after all. How could he bear to watch the people live in dire straits? This was also one of the reasons why he had sought stability for many years and had not rushed for revenge.

Currently, Zhaoyang's treasury has been nearly emptied by Su Mutianjun and corrupt officials. The nation is plagued by internal and external troubles and is in jeopardy, far from being as prosperous as it appears. Compared to the increasingly prosperous Laifeng, Zhaoyang has actually regressed over the past seven years, going from being evenly matched to a vastly different situation.

Thinking of this, Mu Lige analyzed the current situation of Zhaoyang Kingdom with the civil and military officials, and everyone fell silent after hearing this.

At this moment, Shan Zuo couldn't help but complain again: "Your Highness the Crown Princess and Your Highness the Crown Princess are originally one family, so why should we distinguish between Laifeng Kingdom and Zhaoyang Kingdom? Aren't they both their countries and their people?"

After hearing Shan Zuo's words, the ministers immediately began to discuss the matter in whispers again. However, this time, more than half of them agreed with Shan Zuo. After all, both Laifeng and Zhaoyang were vast and rich in resources, one with abundant products and the other with abundant mineral deposits. If the two were to merge, their resources could be integrated to establish a powerful empire.

In the court, civil and military officials were arguing with each other until their faces turned red, and the noisy voices filled the entire palace.

Amidst this tense atmosphere, Hua Qingcheng calmly rose from the throne. Her demeanor was heroic, her beautiful eyes gleaming with a resolute light. She glanced at the crowd and slowly spoke, "The Zhaoyang Kingdom is now facing a desperate situation. Only our Great Laifeng Kingdom can help it recover."

Hua Qingcheng's words exploded like thunder in the hearts of all the officials. Everyone suddenly quieted down and their eyes were focused on Hua Qingcheng.

"I have a solution that has the best of both worlds:... to incorporate Zhaoyang into the territory of my Laifeng Empire. From then on, the people of Laifeng and Zhaoyang will all be subjects of the Laifeng Empire. Of course, I can retain the title of Zhaoyang and establish the King of Zhaoyang, who will be my princess. Furthermore, the Laifeng Empire will only supervise Zhaoyang's internal affairs and will not interfere. This way, we can both guarantee the ruling status of the Laifeng Empire and maintain the independence and dignity of Zhaoyang."

Hua Qingcheng's voice resounded throughout the court, carrying a commanding presence that brooked no argument. As she finished her words, the officials fell into deep thought. Some expressed approval, while others remained skeptical. However, under Hua Qingcheng's resolute gaze and confident words, everyone sensed her authority and formidable force.

"Greetings to Her Royal Highness, Prince Zhaoyang!"

All the officials knelt, expressing their support for Hua Qingcheng's decision. Having quelled the rebellion of Imperial Preceptor Ran Qiyue, they had already deeply witnessed the young princess's extraordinary wisdom and courage. Her decision would surely bring prosperity to the Zhaoyang Kingdom and lead the Laifeng Empire to glory.

Hua Qingcheng sat upright on the golden throne, holding Mu Lige's hand, looking at the scene in front of her with satisfaction, with a feeling of heroism surging in her heart.

Although Hua Qingcheng is not keen on power, she knows that this is the capital for her and Mu Lige to stand side by side, and it is also the confidence for her to protect the people behind her.

After dealing with Su Mutianjun, Su Mulihan, and the imperial concubines, Mu Lige immediately reappointed and reorganized the officials of Zhaoyang State. Among them, Gongsun Mulin, who had previously served as the Grand Secretary of Longyuan Pavilion, was appointed Chief Minister of the Cabinet, Tianji was appointed General of the Cavalry, and Long Yi was reappointed as the Commander of the Yulin Army.

Mu Lige, acting as the King of Zhaoyang, also vindicated Tian Lang and the Tian family, issuing an edict posthumously honoring the 10,000 vanguard soldiers who died innocently in the Wushan bandit suppression campaign nineteen years earlier as heroes, and arranged for compensation for their surviving relatives. Simultaneously, a nationwide manhunt was issued for the fugitive Wushan bandit leader, Yin Jiu.

Since Zhaoyang Kingdom was in a state of disrepair, Hua Qingcheng and Mu Lige settled down in the Zhaoyang Kingdom palace.

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