Chapter 33

The empty stadium was filled with the stench of blood and dust.

King Yun was pinned to his knees, with no chance of turning the tables.

However, that dramatic reversal at the last minute was like a silent thunderclap, exploding in the hearts of a few astute individuals.

Li Xiaoran was still in shock and instinctively covered her neck, where the tiny wound from the dagger tip still throbbed, reminding her that she had just brushed with death.

She vividly remembers the icy touch and the suffocating feeling of despair, and she also vividly remembers that in the moment of her delirium, time seemed to be turned back a second by an invisible hand...

She suddenly looked at Qi Nian'an, her eyes filled with disbelief, shock, and questioning.

Shao Sizhi was also filled with mixed emotions.

Her identity is definitely not as simple as I previously thought!

Qi Nian'an sensed their probing gazes and also saw the lingering fear and confusion on the faces of some of the royal family members, nobles, and ministers around him.

Although King Yun was defeated, the people's hearts were unsettled, and rumors and gossip were bound to follow.

In particular, her past intimacy with Li Xiaoran and the subtle role she played in this incident require a thorough explanation, an explanation that can reassure people and prevent future troubles.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the slight dizziness after using her ability, straightened her back, and walked step by step to the Cloud King, whose face was filled with resentment.

She didn't look at him, but instead swept her gaze across all the bewildered faces in the room, her voice clear and firm, echoing throughout the hall:

"Traitor Shao Siyun!" she called him by name, her words ringing out, "He formed cliques for personal gain, colluded with enemy states, and wreaked havoc on the court! He even threatened the lives of my closest relatives, forcing me to commit the heinous crime of regicide! His heart is deserving of death, and his crimes deserve to be punished!"

She paused, then turned her gaze to Shao Sizhi, her expression filled with unwavering loyalty and magnanimity: "However, Heaven and Earth bear witness that I, Qi Nian'an, have never forsaken His Majesty or my country since entering the palace! All that has happened today is merely a ploy to lure the enemy out, to eliminate treacherous officials for His Majesty and for the sake of this world!"

This statement is insufficient to explain all the doubts.

Qi Nian'an knew it was time.

She took another deep breath, as if gathering enough courage to decide to no longer hide that biggest secret. She

Turning to Shao Sizhi, his gaze was clear and honest, carrying a resolute determination born of desperation:

“Your Majesty, esteemed officials,” her voice was not loud, yet strangely suppressed all the noise, “Now that things have come to this, I dare not conceal anything any longer. I, Qi Nian’an, was originally a spy.”

The word "espionage" was like a boulder thrown into stagnant water, instantly creating ripples across the square!

Gasps, exclamations, and incredulous whispers erupted as everyone's gaze—a mixture of surprise, anger, and scrutiny—was fixed on Qi Nian'an, a sight even more suffocating than the blade of the Cloud King.

Shao Sizhi's pupils contracted sharply, and his heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, almost stopping its beating.

A spy? She was actually...

Ignoring all the reactions around her, Qi Nian'an kept her gaze fixed on Shao Sizhi's face and continued her statement. Her voice was clear and steady, with a kind of desperate frankness: "I am not innocent. I am the niece of the Prince of Yun. My maternal clan was massacred by enemy forces secretly colluded with the Prince of Yun. I was lucky enough to escape and was trained as a spy and sent to the palace. My initial mission was to get close to His Majesty and wait for an opportunity to rebel."

I learned all this by chatting with the guard all night. In the end, Qi Nian'an gave him a few taels of silver and got out, but he was captured by the guards of the Prince of Yun.

well.

With each word she spoke, Shao Sizhi's expression darkened, and the surrounding air grew increasingly tense.

"However," Qi Nian'an's tone suddenly shifted, her voice filled with intense emotion, her gaze burning like a blazing star, "after entering the palace, I witnessed with my own eyes His Majesty's diligent governance, the court's efforts to reform, and the peace and tranquility protected by the blood and sweat of the border soldiers! I also saw with my own eyes that Prince Yun, Shao Siyun, was the mastermind behind the collusion with foreign enemies, the massacre of my mother's clan, and the attempt to plunge the world into chaos!"

She suddenly pointed at the Cloud King, who was pinned to the ground, and accused him with tears of blood in her voice: "He is the real traitor to the country! Compared with him, how insignificant and worthless my original intentions are in the face of the safety of the country and the common people! If I were to help the wicked and overturn this hard-won stability for my own personal revenge, wouldn't I become a sinner for all time and a sinner against the common people?!"

Her gaze returned to Shao Sizhi's face, filled with utmost sincerity and resolve: "Therefore, from the day I learned the truth, I resolved to abandon my original mission. What I did today was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a carefully considered choice I made for myself—to be loyal to His Majesty and to the righteous path of this world! If His Majesty punishes me for this, I am willing to accept it. I only ask that His Majesty recognize my utter sincerity and not implicate the innocent because of one person's mistake!"

She prostrated herself deeply, her posture humble, yet her back remained straight, awaiting the final verdict.

The arena fell silent, all eyes fixed on the emperor who held the power of life and death.

Shao Sizhi stared blankly at the woman kneeling on the ground, his heart churning with turmoil.

She was truly a treacherous spy, with countless opportunities to kill him. Why wait until today, and why betray him at the last moment, exposing her own weaknesses?

A tremendous sense of guilt overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.

Because of his suspicions and the so-called imperial calculations, he repeatedly neglected her, tested her, and even attacked her when she needed his trust the most.

She, burdened with national and personal vendettas and the identity of a spy, chose the most difficult yet most loyal path after seeing right from wrong.

He strode forward and, to everyone's astonishment, personally helped Qi Nian'an up.

His movements carried an undeniable force, his gaze fixed on her slightly reddened eyes, his voice deep and clear, filled with unprecedented solemnity and apology.

"It is I... who have failed you."

He paused, surveyed the entire room, and his voice suddenly rose, carrying the majesty and decisiveness of an emperor, "Consort Qi Nian'an, though of flawed birth, is as clear as the sun and moon in her heart, and her merits will be remembered for all time! She has rendered great service to the country and saved my life! All past transgressions will be forgiven! From this day forward, she shall be the sole Empress of our dynasty!"

He grasped Qi Nian'an's hand, turned to all the imperial relatives, nobles, and court officials, and solemnly announced another earth-shattering decision, "Through this incident, I have also come to a realization. The infighting within the harem is truly the source of turmoil in the court, and it is not what I desire. For the sake of the nation's stability and to prevent future troubles, I have decided—"

His gaze swept over the concubines in the crowd, finally settling on Qi Nian'an's face, and he spoke each word clearly:

"Dismiss the six palaces! Those concubines who voluntarily leave the palace will be generously granted a homecoming. By my side, only Empress Nian'an is sufficient!"

These words shocked the entire audience!

Dismiss the harem!

One life, one love, one partner!

This is an unprecedented feat by any emperor in history!

Upon hearing this, Consort Yi's dignified face first showed surprise, then revealed a faint smile of relief.

She never wanted to be confined within these four palace walls, and now that she can return to her clan, she is determined to become the true ruler of the family.

Consort Ming was overjoyed and wept tears of joy. She had long been tired of fighting and her heart was set on the water towns of Jiangnan and her young sister at home.

Now, being able to return home with a generous reward, reunite with my sister, and live a peaceful life is the ending I've always dreamed of.

Li Xiaoran stood to the side, watching the emperor and his consort hand in hand, her eyes filled with relief and blessings.

Damn it, at least the one surnamed Shao was somewhat sincere.

The late Nan Zhi was posthumously honored by Shao Sizhi, who also erected a monument in her memory to comfort her loyal soul.

The dust has settled, and the dark clouds have dispersed.

Shao Sizhi held Qi Nian'an's hand tightly, his gaze firm yet gentle.

Qi Nian'an looked back at him, her eyes glistening with tears, yet carrying a smile of relief and happiness.

The road ahead may still be full of storms, but with mutual trust and walking hand in hand, we will have nothing to fear.

A new era is about to begin.

The night had finally passed, and the summer cicadas' chirping lingered around the Empress, who was playing in the water with her sleeves rolled up, and the Imperial Concubine Ling, who was taking a leisurely nap nearby. The scene was incredibly warm and peaceful.

"Your Majesty! Come ashore!"

Shao Sizhi watched Qi Nian'an playing in the water from the shore with some anxiety.

"That bridge isn't sturdy enough; have you forgotten about that piece of wood from last time..."

"Okay, wait for me."

Qi Nian'an turned her back to him, twisted her waist, and waved casually.

Yi Xing was holding the clothes on the shore, laughing incessantly, while Zhi Yang shook his head with a helpless smile beside her.

"With you all by my side, what do I have to fear?"

Qi Nian'an looked up at the warm sun, as if speaking to herself, or perhaps thanking everyone around her.

Congratulations on achieving the ending! May the nation be prosperous and the people at peace.

She smiled nonchalantly. Li Xiaoran was looking at her, her fair wrist catching water droplets that rippled with color in the sunlight.

The future will be better!

(End of article.)