One hour later.

All the corpses in the palace were cleared out. Apart from the corpses of their own side, the remaining corpses were gathered in one place and burned.

The palace was washed with water, and any flowers, potted plants, or trees stained with too much blood were removed and quickly replaced with new ones.

When the emperor learned that most of his court officials were under house arrest in the neighboring palace, he sent men to impersonate Empress Shen's men and spread false news that Empress Shen had won.

Officials who reacted with glee and arrogance upon receiving the news were executed on the spot, while the remaining officials were saved.

When the emperor sat on the dragon throne in the Zichen Hall and the court officials knelt in the hall to pay homage to him, the entire palace had returned to peace.

If it weren't for the soldiers guarding inside and outside the palace, probably no one would have imagined that such a bloody coup had occurred in the palace not long ago.

Even the air was filled with only a faint smell of blood, and it was believed that before long, the smell of blood would disappear completely, replaced by a thriving scene.

Everyone knows exactly what's going on.

However, the emperor's official statement was: "The empress and Prince Ding are treacherous and actually poisoned me, attempting to force me to abdicate and replace me! Fortunately, it was discovered in time, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

"It's just a pity for Princess Lingyang. She was tricked into the palace by the Empress, and when things didn't go her way, the Empress killed her. I wonder if any of my esteemed ministers would be willing to go to the Heavenly Eagle Kingdom to inform the Heavenly Eagle King of Princess Lingyang's death?"

"Also, tell King Tianying that my men have already killed the Empress and Prince Ding, avenging Princess Lingyang on the spot."

This account was recorded by the historians, who made no mention of the fact that Prince Ding was not a prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty, nor of the fact that Empress Shen was a beauty from the Heavenly Eagle Holy Kingdom.

The truth, however, was recorded in unofficial histories and was talked about by the people, but everyone regarded it as unofficial history and could not take it as fact.

The emperor and the Great Zhou royal family's dignity were thus preserved.

Ye Qingxue, Yun Zhuo, and the others were taken to the Zichen Palace.

It was almost dawn by then. Ye Qingxue and Yun Zhuo, who had rested for an hour, had regained some strength and were able to walk into the palace to pay their respects.

However, when Ye Qingxue entered the palace, the court officials were all surprised and shocked. They could understand Xuan Yunzhuo entering the palace, but Ye Qingxue was a woman. Why should she enter the Zichen Palace, a place for discussing important national affairs?

Before the Empress Dowager had left, she quickly answered the court officials' questions: "It was the eldest daughter of the Ye family who discovered the Empress and Prince Ding's conspiracy in advance, and that's why she took precautions against it."

The Emperor said, “What the Empress Dowager said is absolutely right. Before the Prime Minister and Prince Jing came to rescue me, it was the eldest daughter of the Ye family who guarded the Zichen Palace and prevented the Empress and Prince Ding’s people from stepping into the Zichen Palace.”

The Empress Dowager said, "Tonight, the eldest daughter of the Ye family has truly made a great contribution."

I see!

The gazes of everyone towards Ye Qingxue were filled with admiration; they never expected that a young lady from a secluded family could possess such abilities!

Like father, like daughter!

Seeing how badly she was injured, almost unable to stand, everyone felt even more admiration for her.

Ye Qingxue and Yun Zhuo knelt in the hall, bowed to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, and said that it was what they should do.

The emperor immediately offered Ye Qingxue a seat and said, "Ye Qingxue, don't worry. I just ordered the imperial physician to quickly treat the wounds of the eldest son of the Pan family. The eldest son of the Pan family is lucky. The long sword did not pierce his heart. He only bled a lot, but his life is not in danger."

Ye Qingxue breathed a sigh of relief and exchanged a glance with Yun Zhuo. They both felt that this news was very good.

Debts of love are hard to repay, but debts of life are even harder to repay.

Unexpectedly, the emperor changed the subject and said, "I know about the incident where the eldest son of the Pan family shielded you from a sword, and I also know about your promise to marry him once he wakes up."

The emperor said heartily, "Your deep affection has truly moved me. Once he wakes up, I will bestow a marriage upon you both, fulfilling your deep love for each other!"

Upon hearing this, the court officials turned to congratulate Ye Qingxue.

However, the emperor's words were like a thunderclap to Ye Qingxue, coming so suddenly that she was caught off guard and stood there stunned for a while.

Until she noticed Yun Zhuo's gaze coming her way.

Ye Qingxue panicked, stood up, stepped forward and knelt down: "Your Majesty, you must not! There is no affair between me and Young Master Pan. What I said outside the palace was only to comfort him. Now that I know Young Master Pan's life is not in danger, I am very happy, but I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order!"

The ministers who wanted to congratulate Ye Qingxue suddenly stopped in their tracks and looked at each other in bewilderment.

How could a young woman dare to refuse a marriage bestowed upon her by the emperor?

Although she grew up in the countryside, she was still the daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyong. Didn't anyone tell her that the emperor's bestowal of marriage was an imperial decree that could not be refused?

By defying the imperial decree and refusing to marry, all her achievements tonight will be negated, and she may even offend the emperor.

A kind-hearted minister lowered his voice and said, "Miss Ye, you're being foolish! To be granted a marriage by the Emperor is an immense honor. How can you refuse? Quickly admit your mistake and agree!"

Even the emperor frowned slightly, his deep gaze falling on Ye Qingxue, as if he wanted her to change her mind.

Ye Qingxue, however, stood up straight and said in a firm voice, "I know that Your Majesty means well and is thinking of both me and Young Master Pan, but I already have someone I love, so I cannot marry Young Master Pan."

She kowtowed to the ground.

After standing up, she continued in a clear and resolute voice, "This humble woman is devoted to His Highness Prince Jing, and in this life, she will not marry anyone but His Highness Prince Jing."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!