In mid-October, Gu Qingyan formally mentioned Dayu as the name of the country in court.

Almost every courtier fell silent for a few moments upon hearing the name "Da Yu." Da Yu was a homophone of the Empress Dowager's name, which explained why the Emperor insisted on creating a new name for the country.

From then on, no one with any sense dared to question the name of the country, Dayu.

"Your Majesty, a new coronation ceremony should be held in Daning on an auspicious day."

In the imperial court, a courtier stepped forward and said, "Not only that, but whether or not a new capital should be established after the merger of the two countries is also a matter that needs to be considered immediately."

Gu Qingyan seemed to have been prepared for these matters, and spoke directly:

"There's no need for a coronation ceremony. The Empress Dowager's whereabouts are currently unknown, and I have no interest in holding any coronation ceremony."

He had already discussed these matters with Wei Ruo when she entered the palace that day. The capital city was too far from Da Ning, so the capital city would definitely have to be chosen elsewhere.

"As for the capital, that is an even greater matter. I have already asked the Grand Preceptor of Da Ning to find a good location."

Gu Qingyan's voice continued, "Hengxian is located in the middle, making it a good place to establish a capital."

He first distinguished himself in Heng County, and also met his father for the first time in Heng County.

Hengxian held extraordinary significance for him, his mother, and his father.

"Your Majesty is unwilling to hold a coronation ceremony, but the proper etiquette cannot be omitted. I believe that when Your Majesty arrives in Heng County, the former officials of Daming should come and kowtow to Your Majesty."

Kui Ruo's words immediately drew everyone's agreement, and Gu Qingyan also nodded, "Let's do as Kui Qing says."

"As for the construction of the palace, the Ministry of Works will take the lead in supervising and handling the process."

Gu Qingyan glanced around and said, "I will go to the temporary residence in Heng County in a few days to handle state affairs."

"Dismiss the court."

With the issuance of an imperial edict, Daqing and Daning ceased to exist, leaving only Dayu.

A brand new and powerful Chongqing.

After the imperial edict was issued, Gu Qingyan immediately became extremely busy, reorganizing the court and coordinating the military forces, leaving him no time to worry about Gu Qingfeng and Gu Qingyao.

Jiang He was also too busy to be home, while Bai Qian was forcibly kept at home to rest during her pregnancy and help Xie Zhiqing manage the affairs of girls' schools in various places.

The original border between Daqing and Daning was broken, and the people on the border were all overjoyed.

As for Hengxian, they were making a great fuss to welcome Gu Qingyan's arrival.

They were fortunate enough to become the capital of the Dayu Dynasty.

......

In a courtyard on the outskirts of Beijing, Gu Qingyao knocked on the gate. The guards outside asked, "What is it?"

"Could you ask the Emperor if I may see him off on the day he leaves the capital?"

Gu Qingyao's voice was extremely calm, and the guards had no suspicions. "The Emperor and the Empress Dowager have issued an edict that you are not allowed to step out of this courtyard."

“I know. Please ask him again for me. Once he leaves, we don’t know when we’ll see each other again.”

The guard finally nodded. "I will report to the Emperor."

Less than an hour later, the guard returned again, saying, "His Majesty says he will take you to see him."

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Gu Qingyan raised his head from the memorial, "Gu Qingyao, what exactly are you trying to do?"

He didn't think Gu Qingyao was the kind of person who would want to see him off.

"Is there still no news of the Empress Dowager?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyan pursed his lips, and Gu Qingyao immediately understood what he meant.

“However, Emperor Zhaoyuan has already gone to search for her. With his abilities, he will surely find the Empress Dowager.” Gu Qingyao always had a faint smile on her face, which made Gu Qingyan frown. “Once you find the Empress Dowager, you will be able to be happy together.”

"Gu Qingyao, what exactly are you trying to do?"

"On the day you leave the capital, could you let me stand on the city wall to see you off?"

Gu Qingyao clutched the handkerchief in her hand tightly. "I want to see you leave the capital with my own eyes."

Almost instantly, Gu Qingyan understood Gu Qingyao's meaning.

“I know that the sins I committed in my past life can never be washed away, so I should be locked in that dark and sunless courtyard to repent day and night.”

"Death is a luxury for me, so I come to beg you today, Gu Qingyan, can you give me a release?"

"Why that particular day?" Gu Qingyan stared directly at Gu Qingyao.

"Because the moment you leave the capital, the capital will no longer be the capital, and Daqing will no longer be Daqing. I want to see that moment with my own eyes."

Gu Qingyao forced a smile. "And I am a princess of Daqing. My life and death should be closely linked to Daqing."

What if I don't respond?

“Then I will go on a hunger strike. Where can someone who is determined to die not find a way to die?” Gu Qingyao’s voice grew softer and softer. “Or I could die by hitting my head against a pillar, or by throwing myself into a well? I can think of so many ways.”

Even if she cannot witness that moment, she will still go with Daqing.

“I know you hate Daqing, but I am Daqing’s princess.”

Since Jiang Yu's accident, Gu Qingyao has been praying for Jiang Yu day and night in the small Buddhist hall, and her whole body is inexplicably surrounded by a sandalwood fragrance.

"Please, let me see that moment with my own eyes."

"The walls of the capital must not be stained with blood."

That was enough for Gu Qingyao.

Thank you.

When Gu Qingyao left, her back was ramrod straight, and her blue dress slowly faded from Gu Qingyan's sight.

......

On the day Gu Qingyan left the capital with his court officials, Gu Qingyao stood on the city wall early in the morning.

She watched Gu Qingyan leave the capital with her own eyes. The moment the city gates slowly closed, an inexplicable sadness enveloped the entire capital.

Oh no, it can no longer be called the capital city.

Gu Qingyan issued an imperial decree naming this place Qingcheng.

"Princess, it's time to go back."

The guards behind her spoke up to remind her, Gu Qingyao twitched the corners of her mouth, glanced one last time in the direction of the palace, and then slowly collapsed to the ground.

"Princess!"

Almost at the same time, Gu Qingyan, inside the carriage, opened the window and turned to look towards the city wall.

“My country no longer exists, and I am no longer a princess.”

Gu Qingyao clutched her stomach in pain. The poison she had ingested was the Heartbreak Grass, which would not bleed from the onset of the poison until death, but would cause immense suffering.

"After I die... throw me... throw me into a mass grave..."

Gu Qingyao spoke haltingly, then seemed to let out a huge sigh of relief; she was finally... finally free.

She must be buried in a mass grave after she dies, in the same place where her mother was in her previous life.

May Your Majesty be safe, healthy, and have all your wishes fulfilled.