"The hearts and minds of the people are in my hands? You're not trying to say that I, Chen Zhennan, am using people's hearts, are you?"

Song Yunyang playfully walked to Chen Zhennan's side, leaned on the city wall with both hands, and looked into the distance.

"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. I don't think you're exploiting public opinion; public opinion can't be manipulated. What we lack is someone like you to lead the way."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.

For someone as strong-willed as Song Yunyang to genuinely admit that others are stronger than herself is no easy feat.

"From what you're saying, you're really convinced this time?"

Song Yunyang scoffed, then shook her head: "Of course not, they definitely won't admit it anyway, so give up on that idea."

Seeing Wu Yunyin's defiant yet shy demeanor, Chen Zhennan felt a warm glow in his heart. It seemed that the matter of Song Yunming's injury was over, and Song Yunyang should have let go of her grudges.

"Yunyang, come with me to the capital of Dawu. Witness the fall of Dawu with me and build a new order together."

Upon hearing this, Song Yunyang turned to look at Chen Zhennan, her eyes filled with hesitation.

"What are you thinking about?" Chen Zhennan asked, puzzled.

Song Yunyang pursed her lips and pondered, "You said before that you wanted me to be your empress, but now I don't know what to choose."

"A choice?" Chen Zhennan frowned slightly, took a deep breath, "Is there even a choice? Yunyang, I never break my promises. You've been by my side for so long, don't you trust me?"

Song Yunyang hurriedly shook her head: "Of course not, you've done everything you said, I know what kind of person you are. But, even if I become empress, what then? A marriage without love is a cage for the emperor's woman."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan felt both amused and exasperated.

"Song Yunyang, you don't think there's no affection between us, do you? Or do you think that I've lost my feelings for you after becoming emperor?"

Song Yunyang's eyes lit up, but a hint of worry quickly returned to her face.

"But what kind of feeling is that?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan finally realized that Song Yunyang was clearly insecure.

Turning around and walking in front of her, Chen Zhennan put away his joking expression and put on a serious face.

"Song Yunyang, listen to me, I love you, I want you to be my empress, the mother of the nation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Song Yunyang's eyes widened in surprise, completely unexpected that Chen Zhennan would speak so bluntly.

"Are you serious?"

Chen Zhennan blinked and said in a deep voice, "Of course I'm serious. If I said I love you, you might not believe me, but time will prove my words."

With Chen Zhennan's promise, Song Yunyang suddenly let go of her resentment, or perhaps it wasn't resentment, but rather a misunderstanding of him.

“Okay, I’ll go to the capital with you and witness all of this right here beside you.”

...

The next morning, the sun shone brightly on the earth, and the sky was clear and cloudless.

Chen Zhennan led Song Yunyang, Song Yunming, Gu Siyao, and many officials from Da Yan and Da Wu. The procession was magnificent and unstoppable, like a long dragon marching towards the capital of Da Wu.

Meanwhile, in the capital city of Dawu, an atmosphere of despair permeated the imperial palace.

Wu Yunyin sat upright on the dragon throne, her face ashen and pale, her former majesty long gone.

Her eyes were lifeless as she looked at the assembled officials, and her voice trembled as she asked, "Now that the people have risen up in rebellion, this dire situation is like Mount Tai pressing down on us. Do any of you have a plan to deal with it?"

However, all the civil and military officials looked at each other in bewilderment, silent as cicadas in winter, and not one dared to answer.

Wu Yunyin felt utterly hopeless. She slumped onto the dragon throne, her mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

She recalled her past stubbornness and refusal to listen to advice, which led to her current predicament. Overwhelmed with regret, two streams of tears involuntarily slid down her cheeks.

She knew she was at her wit's end, but she was still unwilling to accept it. However, at this point, it would be futile to say anything more.

And so, the capital city spent three days in a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere, as if it were facing its end.

Outside the city, Zhou Xiang's army, like a surging tide, approached the city, forming a three-pronged attack on the capital with the armies of Hou Jing and Li Can.

The densely packed army, their armor gleaming coldly in the sunlight, their banners fluttering in the wind, seemed like the prelude to the arrival of death.

Zhou Xiang rode on his tall horse, his face full of arrogance and pride. He did not rush to launch an attack on the capital.

With a wave of his hand, he sent a messenger into the palace to see Wu Yunyin.

The envoy entered the palace hall and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, “My lord, Zhou Xiang, the Prince of Lingnan, commands an army of 300,000. Generals Hou Jing and Li Can together have over 200,000 troops. Your Majesty, you now have only one path: surrender. My lord has also instructed you to surrender before Commander Chen Zhennan arrives in the capital. To save face for Your Majesty, you need not appear in the city; simply write a letter of surrender. If Your Majesty does not agree, my lord will immediately send troops to attack the capital. At that time, Your Majesty will be captured alive and paraded through the streets, subjected to the scorn of the world.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Yunyin was both shocked and furious, and she clenched her teeth.

As the ruler of a nation, how could I, Wu Yunyin, surrender so easily? But given the current situation, what should I do?

Although she was extremely unwilling, looking at the expressions of the officials in the court, she knew that the situation was hopeless.

At this moment, the officials in the court stepped forward one after another. One of the old ministers said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, things have come to this. As the saying goes, 'Those who understand the times are the heroes.' We are powerless to reverse the situation. Let us surrender."

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