Chapter 218 The Time Has Arrived

He threw himself onto the ice coffin, frantically pounding on the cold lid with both hands, tears streaming down his face, sobbing uncontrollably, "Mother! Mother, how could you be here! That beast Pei Yan! What did he do to you?! What did he do to you?! He won't even let you rest in peace after you've died! Beast! Beast!"

The young man's grief, filled with helplessness and anger, echoed in the confined room.

Xie Nu'er secretly wiped away her tears.

"Brother, why don't you talk to Mother?"

After saying that, Xie Sangning did not linger. He turned around and walked out of the secret room with Xie Nuer, leaving the space to Xie Sangyu.

——

Three days.

For Nanjing, those three days were earth-shattering and transformative.

The Xuanjia Army completely took over the city's defenses, and a strict curfew was imposed, but the streets were filled with unprecedented vitality.

Various legends about the new emperor Xie Sangning were passed down by word of mouth among the people and posted in the streets and alleys. The officials who had been on sick leave felt as if they had been given a new lease on life. Under the leadership of the temporarily formed cabinet, they began to swiftly eliminate the remnants of Pei Yan, appease the people, and prepare for the enthronement ceremony.

The deepest part of the imperial prison.

For Pei Yan, these three days were a true hell.

Xie Zhenting's anger was like a storm, and each time it arrived, it was accompanied by the most cruel torture.

The pain of a knife cutting through flesh, the sound of bones shattering, the burning sensation of salt water poured on the wound…

Each time, Pei Yan would faint from excruciating pain, only to awaken in even more intense agony.

Desheng, like an executioner, carried out Xie Sangning's orders with a blank expression, ensuring that Pei Yan would not breathe his last.

The once high and mighty emperor is now nothing more than a lump of rotting flesh writhing in blood and filth, his screams now weak and hoarse, his eyes filled only with despair.

Three days later, the sunlight was exceptionally bright.

This day marked both Xie Sangning's coronation ceremony and Pei Yan's imprisonment.

The execution ground was set up in the most open square in the western part of the city, facing the palace where the coronation ceremony was about to be held.

Early in the morning, the square was packed with a huge crowd.

When that inhuman, foul-smelling "thing" was dragged onto the execution platform, the crowd erupted in deafening curses and spitting!

Rotten eggs and rotten vegetable leaves rained down on them!

"Traitor! Beast!"

"A beast who murdered his father and brother!"

"To be torn to pieces!"

The executioner read out Pei Yan's crimes with a blank expression.

Five strong, sturdy horses, blindfolded, were led up, with ropes tied around Pei Yan's neck and limbs.

"Execute them—!"

With a command given, the whip cracked!

Spurred on, the five spirited horses suddenly galloped off in five different directions!

"Ughhhhhh—!" A piercing scream tore through the sky! That was Pei Yan's last sound in the mortal world.

*Pfft!* *Snap!*

The sounds of bones shattering and muscles tearing were clearly audible!

Blood mist instantly spread out!

Five wild horses dragged the mangled limbs, leaving five shocking bloodstains on the execution platform!

A tyrannical ruler who usurped the country ended his sinful life in the most tragic and shameful way!

Almost at the same moment that Pei Yan was torn apart by five horses, his flesh and blood flying everywhere!

From the direction of the palace, the nine chimes, signifying the new emperor's ascension to the throne, resounded like the roar of a dragon from the heavens!

The square in front of the Zichen Hall in the Imperial Palace.

An unprecedented spectacle! Solemn and dignified!

All officials in the capital, regardless of rank, wore the most solemn court attire and stood solemnly on both sides of the imperial road according to their rank, extending all the way to the outside of the palace gate.

Those officials who had previously claimed illness were now all in high spirits, radiant, and beaming with genuine excitement and pride.

Xie Zhenting and Xie Sangyu also stood at the forefront of the nobles.

Outside the palace gates, countless people had come spontaneously. Although they could not enter the square, they all stood solemnly facing the direction of the palace, eagerly awaiting its arrival.

Ritual music resounds! Bells and drums ring out in unison!

Under the watchful eyes of countless people, the new emperor's entourage slowly approached.

Thirty-six armored guards led the way, their steps firm and their armor imposing!

Following them were the palace guards, carrying ceremonial weapons such as golden maces, axes, and ceremonial stirrups, exuding an air of solemnity and authority.

Following them were sixteen female officials dressed in magnificent palace attire, holding auspicious objects such as jade ruyi, incense burners, and treasure vases.

Then, it's Desheng.

He was dressed in a brand-new robe, his expression solemn and dignified, holding a sandalwood tray covered with bright yellow silk.

Placed on it was the tiger tally, symbolizing supreme power and legitimacy!

Finally, amidst the breathless anticipation of the crowd, the new emperor's imperial carriage appeared.

The palanquin was steadily carried by eight strongmen.

Xie Sangning sat upright and dignified atop the palanquin.

She changed into a specially made imperial robe.

The imperial robe was made of the finest black brocade, embroidered with gold thread, red silk thread and various gemstones, and covered with twelve symbols including the sun, moon and stars, mountains, dragons and pheasants. It was majestic, noble and imposing!

A dragon-patterned belt made of black jade and red gold was tied around his waist.

The crown she wore was a specially made twelve-tassel crown.

The crown had a beam of black jade, with twelve tassels hanging down, strung together with the finest obsidian and white jade, swaying gently in front of her forehead. Behind the tassels, her stunningly beautiful face exuded an imperial majesty that made people dare not look directly at her!

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

As the palanquin arrived in front of the Zichen Hall, Desheng, excited to the point of almost breaking his voice, led the way, and a deafening roar of "Long live the Emperor!" instantly swept through the entire palace and soared into the sky!

Xie Sangning slowly rose and stepped down from the imperial carriage.

Her steps were steady and firm, each step seemingly treading on the ruins of an old era, heralding the beginning of a new one.

Desheng held the tray containing the tiger tally and knelt respectfully beside her.

Xie Sangning's gaze swept over the dark mass of people below and over the countless figures of commoners faintly visible outside the palace gates in the distance.

She did not give a lengthy speech, but simply slowly raised her right hand and grasped the tiger tally on the tray.

This tiger tally is her starting point, and also the proof that she seeks justice for her mother, the Xie family, and the world!

She held it high!

"I, the Emperor, today receive the Mandate of Heaven, succeed to the rightful throne, take control of the Tiger Tally, and ascend to rule the Purple Palace!"

"From this day forward, the reign title shall be changed to 'Zhaowu'!"

"Wherever the sun and moon shine, wherever mountains and rivers reach, all is the territory of Daqing! All the people of Daqing are under my protection!"

"The restoration of order begins today! The cleansing of the world begins in my own hands!"

"The traitor Pei Yan is executed on this day! His blood will be the foundation of the new dynasty!"

"This is not bad luck, but the fruit of my war! It is also a sacrifice I offer to my mother!"

[The End. Thank you for reading.]